Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) accounted four more firearms in an intensified drive supporting the Comelec gun ban in various areas.

PCInsp. Rico Santotome Jr, NOPPO spokesperson revealed that elements of the 4th Maneuver Platoon of the Negros Occidental Provincial Public Safety Management Company (NOPPSMC) arrested Mark Ian Aligen, 22, in Barangay Dulao, Bago City for alleged possession of a 22 caliber revolver during the conduct of checkpoint operations Sunday morning.

Aligen was collared with Jerome Robles and Ramil Duran, all of Brgy. San Jose in Binalbagan town, while onboard their Honda motorcycle, said PInsp. Leo Canag, NOPPSMC platoon leader.

He added that the three were suspects in a heist at Brgy. San Jose prior to their arrest.

Meanwhile, Ronald Meria-men, 39, of Brgy. Magsaysay, Escalante City was nabbed by personnel of the 62nd Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt Alex Raposon. A caliber 45 pistol with seven rounds of live bullets were seized from Meria-men during the annual fiesta of Sitio Pula in nearby Sagay City.

Also, Joel Rallos, 27, of Brgy. San Antonio, Himamay-lan City was apprehended by Kabankalan City Police personnel led by PInsp. Nerito Lobrido during the fiesta celebration of Sitio Bayhao, Brgy. Camansi. A caliber 45 pistol with serial number 791357 and with seven rounds of live ammunitions were confiscated in his possession which violated COMELEC Resolution 8714.

Moreover, in Silay City, PSupt. Jerry Bartolome led in the arrest of Jajjie Abellar for violating the firearms ban in Tierra Feliza, Brgy. Lantad, Monday morning.

Abellar, according to records, is wanted for the crime of robbery and after the warrant was served, a subsequent search yielded a caliber 38 revolver with three rounds of live ammunitions.

All four suspects are currently under detention while charges are being readied against them.

A total of 19 suspects were arrested for violating the gun ban since the start of the election period last January, 2010.

PSSupt. Manuel Felix, NOPPO director lauded the police officers and acknowledged the assistance of the Philippine Army in the campaign against violation of the firearms ban which aims to ensure an orderly and peaceful polls in the forthcoming months.*