BACOLOD CITY (PNA) – Four more firearms, two of which are high-powered guns, were seized last Sunday and Monday in a show of all-out support to the Commission of Elections (Comelec)-imposed total gun ban in the province.

Negros Occidental Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, Police Chief Inspector Rico Santotome Jr. said elements of the 4th Maneuver Platoon of the Negros Occidental Provincial Public Safety Management Company (NOPPSMC) arrested Mark Ian Aligen, 22, in Brgy. Dulao, Bago City for possessing a caliber 22 revolver during a checkpoint operation on Sunday.

Aligen was arrested along with Jerome Robles and Ramil Duran, all residents of Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan town while onboard a Honda motorcycle.

Police Inspector Leo Canag, platoon leader of the 4th Platoon of the NOPPSMC, said that the three suspects were reportedly poised to stage a heist in the area prior to their arrest.

On the other hand, Ronald Meriamen, 39, a resident of Brgy. Magsaysay, Escalante City, was collared by personnel of the 62nd Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt Alex Raposon for wielding a caliber .45 caliber pistol with seven rounds of live bullets which were seized from his possession at the fiesta celebration in Sitio Pula, Sagay City.

Likewise, Joel Rallos, 27, of Brgy. San Antonio, Himamaylan City was arrested by the Kabankalan City Philippine National Police (PNP) led by Police Inspector Nerito Lobrido during the fiesta of Sitio Bayhao, Brgy. Camansi also in Sagay City.

Rallos was nabbed for possessing a caliber .45 pistol with serial number 791357 loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition in violation of Comelec Resolution 8714.

Meanwhile, Silay City Director Supt. Jerry Bartolome effected the arrest of Jajjie Abellar for violating the firearms ban in Tierra Feliza in Brgy. Lantad in the said city Monday.

Supt. Bartolome said Abellar is wanted for the crime of robbery. An arrest warrant was served to the suspect and a subsequent search yielded a caliber .38 revolver with three rounds of live ammunition.

All aforesaid suspects are currently detained for the proper filing of appropriate charges against them for violation of the gun ban.

These arrests brought to 19 the number of suspects arrested for violating the Comelec gun ban in Negros Occidental since the start of the election period last January 10.

NOPPO Director S/Supt. Manuel Felix expressed elation on the progress of NOPPO's campaign against the proliferation of the firearms ban and lauded the efforts of the PNP and Philippine Army personnel in doing their bit to ensure orderly and peaceful polls come May.