8 arrested in Maguindanao for violating gun ban

COTABATO CITY – Police authorities in Maguindanao have already arrested eight persons in connection with the implementation of the gun ban since Sunday.

Senior Supt. Nickson Muksan, Maguindanao police direction, said among those arrested was a security guard – who was carrying an M-16 Armalite rifle in Barangay Sarmiento in Parang town. Maguindanao.

READ: Election period kicks off; gun ban in force

Muksan said Jonathan Jovellano, a resident of Barangay Sarmiento, was on a motorbike and was heading home when stopped at a police checkpoint earlier this week. The security guard could not show an exemption issued by the Commission on Elections.

Muksan said policemen in Datu Odin Sinsuat also arrested a Mike Upam Datukaka of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao for carrying an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol.

In Shariff Aguak town, two men were also arrested for failing to prove they can legally carry firearms during the gun ban period, he said.

READ: Licensed gun owners seek permission to carry firearms during election period

“Four others were arrested on Monday night at a highway checkpoint in Barangay Kauran, Ampatuan, Maguindanao,” Muksan said.

Muksan said all the arrests were made using the principle of “plain view.”