By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Four soldiers were arrested for violating the election gun ban in Pampanga province, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, in a presser in Camp Crame, said the suspects, all members of the Philippine Army, were nabbed by officers of the San Simon Police Station at about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday following a report from a concerned citizen identified as “Mark,” the 39-year-old driver of a Chinese businessman and a resident of Barangay San Agustin.
Mark reported that a silver Toyota Innova had been suspiciously following his vehicle between San Simon and Valenzuela City over the past five days. The same vehicle was also sighted near Global Aseana Business Park 1 in Barangay San Isidro in San Simon town.
Responding officers located the vehicle at a gasoline station. When the police approached the vehicle, one of the suspects drew a firearm and attempted to flee.
The police were forced to shoot the vehicle’s tire to prevent its escape. However, the suspects briefly evaded arrest but were eventually intercepted and captured along Quezon Road in Barangay San Isidro.
One of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was promptly brought to a nearby hospital.
Seized from the suspects were a Glock 17 9mm pistol, a caliber .45 pistol, various ammunition and magazines, four units of two-way radios, a video camera, four Armed Forces of the Philippines IDs, and a silver Toyota Innova.
“We are just waiting for their feedback (Army) kung ano ba yung mission at ginagawa nila (regarding their mission on what they were really doing). We want to stress there was no coordination whatsoever at the level of the Pampanga PPO (Police Provincial Office) and even with my office, there was no coordination made,” said Fajardo, who also heads the Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon).
She said they are also looking into possible links of the arrested suspects to criminal activities, such as kidnapping.
The suspects were charged with illegal possession of firearms, violation of the election gun ban, unjust vexation, and grave threat.
“The gun ban is in full force and applies to everyone, regardless of position, rank, or affiliation. Uniformed personnel are not exempt. We will not allow anyone to compromise public safety, especially during the election period,” Fajardo said. (PNA)
