Police heighten drive vs loose firearms in Davao Sur

DIGOS CITY — Police in Davao del Sur have intensified their campaign against loose firearms in the run-up to the May 13 elections.

Colonel Alan Manibog, Davao del Sur police director, said he has directed all chiefs of police in the province to heighten their campaign against armed men following reports that a politician was seen with armed bodyguards during a rally in Digos City on May 5.

One person has been arrested in Kiblawan town this week for illegal possession of a firearm, he said.

Manibog said Mario Barcelona, 46, had a pending arrest warrant for an attempted murder case but when they caught him in his house in Purok 7, Barangay San Isidro, Kiblawan, on Wednesday, he was found in possession of a loaded caliber .9mm (Taurus) pistol.

Manibog said Barcelona would face charges for illegal possession of firearms and for gun ban violation on top of his attempted murder case.