Gun ban nets 214 firearms,
254 violators in Western Visayas
BACOLOD CITY - The enforcement of the Comelec gun ban in
Western Visayas led to the arrest of 254 violators, including six military
personnel and four policemen, and the confiscation of 214 firearms, 76 of which
were seized in Negros Occidental.
Western Visayas police chief Wilfredo Dulay, in his report to
PNP chief Oscar Calderon, yesterday said 66 of the 254 gun ban violators
arrested in Region 6 were nabbed in Negros Occidental.
In Iloilo, the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reportedly
confiscated six M-16 assault rifles, one M-14 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol and a
12-gauge shotgun. Lt. Col. David Tan, 3rd Infantry Division information officer,
said the six high-powered firearms were taken from members of the Revolutionary
Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade arrested in San Joaquin, Iloilo, a week
before the May 14 elections.
Police records show that 13 election-related violent
incidents also took place in the region, with fatalities reported in Escalante
City in Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Antique.
The alleged existence of private armed groups in Moises Padilla and Escalante
City, which were reportedly behind the election violence several days before the
May 14 elections, is still being verified by the police. – Gilbert Bayoran
Police investigating MJ’s
criminal liability in wife’s abduction
FORMER Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez is still not off the hook in
the reported abduction of his wife on Wednesday, the chief of police of Makati
City said yesterday.
Supt. Gilbert Cruz said investigation is underway on the
possible criminal liability of Jimenez, who admitted having taken his wife Carol
by force and confined her at the Silvercrest Rehabilitation Center in BF Homes,
Parañaque City.
"’Di pa natin masasabi na ligtas na siya (Jimenez). Hintayin
muna natin ang imbestigasyon," Cruz said in a text message. He said he has
ordered his investigators to take formal statements from the complainants,
including Carol.
Initial reports showed that Carol was taken by armed men in
front of her home in the Tuscany Condominium in Makati, and were later taken to
Silvercrest for drug rehabilitation. Her lawyers, however, claimed that Carol no
longer needs to be confined as she is being treated by a family therapist.
"Kung kasalanang ipagamot ang misis na nanay ng mga anak ko,
ipakulong n’yo ako. Sanay naman ako makulong (If it’s a sin to have my wife and
the mother of my children treated for her condition, then send me to jail. I’m
used to that)," Jimenez said.
Judge Lorife Pahimna of the Taguig regional trial court branch 69 ordered
police to remove Carol from the rehabilitation center but to no avail. Carol was
supposed to appear before Pahimna at 2 p.m. Wednesday for a hearing on her
petition for a permanent protection order against Jimenez. Her temporary
protection order against Jimenez lapsed on Sunday. – Ashzel Hachero
