Two minors caught breaking gun ban in Davao del Sur

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur—Two minors aged 15 were arrested after being caught with .38-caliber revolvers as they entered the Digos City National High School here, police said Wednesday.

Superintendent Querubin Manalang Jr., acting Digos police chief, said the two boys, whose names were withheld because of their age, were the first violators of the election gun ban in Digos City which went into effect nationwide last Saturday in preparation for the October 28 barangay (village) elections.

The boys were caught carrying guns and several rounds of ammunition when they were frisked at the gates of the school on Tuesday afternoon, Manalang said, adding frisking was mandatory at the school because of the presence of teenage gangs on campus.

Manalang said the authorities were alarmed by the incident because “if minors are now carrying firearms, how much more those considered to be of legal age?”

He said the authorities were re-assessing their campaign against loose firearms. “We will make it even tighter,” he said.

Manalang said the boys were referred to the city’s social welfare office but the police planned to charge them with illegal possession of firearms and violating the ban on the carrying of firearms during the election period.

“It’s up to the prosecutor what to do with the charges,” he added.