By Jennifer P. Rendon
A construction site watchman was arrested on Election Day for carrying a firearm and a gun replica at the RoRo Wharf in Jordan, Guimaras.
Alias Geny, 52, of Barangay San Miguel, Jordan, was intercepted at the screening area of the RoRo Wharf in Barangay Hoskyn at around 3:20 p.m. on Monday.
He was about to board a vessel bound for Iloilo City when screeners spotted what appeared to be firearms inside his bag.
Authorities instructed him to open the bag, where they recovered a caliber .22 revolver with four rounds of ammunition and a gun replica.
Colonel Rhea Santos, Guimaras police chief, said the suspect was employed at a construction site in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Geny claimed he borrowed the firearm from a friend and carried it for personal protection.
He also said the gun replica was intended as a gift for his son.
However, Santos said Geny allegedly used the replica to threaten and harass other individuals.
The suspect is now detained and will be charged with violating Commission on Elections Resolution No. 11067, which enforces the Comelec gun ban, and Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
He is the 67th person arrested for violating the Comelec gun ban in Western Visayas.
He is also the fourth person apprehended in Guimaras province under the same offense.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office has reported 27 gun ban violators.
The Capiz Police Provincial Office recorded 16 arrests while Iloilo City Police Office logged seven arrests.
The Antique Police Provincial Office listed six arrests. Aklan Police Provincial Office reported four arrests. The Regional Mobile Force Company recorded three arrests.