Central Visayas Police Chief Vows Continues Drive Against Loose Firearms

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Jr. has vowed to continue their campaign against loose firearms, which are commonly used by private armed groups.

He said the lessons they learned from the May 9 local and national elections will help them prepare for the possible barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.

Comendador attended the post-elections assessment conference by the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) Tuesday.

The RJSCC, a body which ensured the orderliness of the elections, is composed of the police, military and Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7.

In his report, Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, PRO 7 Regional Operations and Plans Division chief, said they secured 4,760 polling centers in Central Visayas.

The police also arrested 353 gun ban violators and confiscated 352 firearms in 24,951 checkpoints conducted since the start of election period last Jan. 10.

Three police officers were also arrested for violating the election gun ban, which will end on June 8.

Radoc said the areas included in election watchlist areas (Ewas) were also secured.

These were San Francisco, Dumanjug, Tuburan, San Fernando, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Carmen and Bogo City.

Several candidates’ forum and peace covenant signings were held to diffuse tensions among candidates.

Comelec 7 Director Jose Nick Mendros congratulated the police and military for their success in securing the elections.

Mendros said the authorities made the voters and candidates secured. (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS