3 nabbed for violating gun ban

Three men, two in Iloilo and one in Negros Occidental, were arrested as a gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) took effect starting yesterday.

Two of the suspects were arrested at police checkpoints shortly after midnight yesterday.

Arnel Resumado of Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City was collared at a police checkpoint in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental, according to Chief Inspector Nerito Lobrido, town police chief.

A .38 caliber revolver and ammunition were reportedly recovered from Resumado, police said.

In Iloilo, Charlie Bedoy, 34, was collared in San Rafael town at around 12:05 a.m. for allegedly carrying a shotgun and ammunition, according to town police chief Senior Inspector Kenneth Albert Lepsia.

Eight hours later, police arrested Julius Borromeo in La Paz, Iloilo City after he allegedly poked a gun at his brother Leo during a quarrel.

Responding police officers recovered a .38 caliber revolver from Borromeo.

The gun ban is being implemented by the Comelec in line with the holding of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct.23.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental police said that aside from the elections, the checkpoints were meant to secure the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, which also started yesterday.

All 31 police stations in the province have been required to conduct checkpoints, according to Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Negros Occidental police director.