451, including Abra mayor, arrested for violating gun ban

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – At least 451 people, including one mayor, have been arrested for violating the election gun ban as of Tuesday morning, Radyo Inquirer 990AM said.

The report said Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, announced that as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, 422 civilians, five policemen, 17 security guards, four military men and three government officials have been arrested since the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) implemented the gun ban.

Among those arrested is Mayor Alejo Siddayao Domingo of Baay-Licuan town in Abra.

Radyo Inquirer said Domingo was arrested last Saturday at a Comelec-PNP checkpoint for possession of a .45-caliber pistol. The mayor admitted that he has not secured a gun ban exemption for his firearm.

His two companions also yielded .45-caliber pistols.

Police said at least 346 firearms, 144 bladed weapons, 15 gun replicas, 150 explosives and 2,721 ammunitions have been confiscated since September 27.