Gun ban in force for special polls for Ignacio Arroyo seat

BACOLOD CITY—A gun ban will be in force in the fifth district of Negros Occidental starting Wednesday, the start of the election period for the June 2 special elections for the House seat vacated by the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo.

Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said authorities were still waiting for guidelines and the calendar of activities from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the special elections.

Guisihan said police were ready to enforce the Comelec gun ban, which will end on June 17, in the fifth district. The district covers Himamaylan City, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana and Hinigaran and has a voting population of more than 200,000.

Comelec provincial supervisor Jessie Suarez said he would discuss security arrangements for the special elections with top police and military officials of the province.

Guisihan, however, said he did not expect any security problems to arise during the campaign and elections.