PARANG, Maguindanao — Two persons were arrested Friday for possession of high-powered guns in neighboring Sultan Kudarat town.
Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, police director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the two suspects were arrested in connection with the prevailing nationwide gun ban for the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Mijares said a .45-caliber pistol, two shotguns and an M16 rifle were recovered from the two suspects in Barangay Gang, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The official was unable to disclose their identities pending police pursuit operations launched against comrades of the arrested duo.
Despite the arrest, Mijares said the entire region remains peaceful since the nine-day campaign for the village and youth council elections began on May 4 .
“We will continue to strictly implement the gun ban even after the election period because Mindanao remains under Martial Law,” Mijares told reporters here. He also urged illegal gun holders to voluntarily surrender their firearms.
Mijares said the ARMM Regional Election Monitoring Action Center has reported 14 assorted firearms confiscated from unauthorized civilians in the region since the election period began on April 14.
In the neighboring region, Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, police director for Soccsksargen, reported 36 persons have been arrested and 27 guns seized, along with four hand grenades and assorted ammunition since the start of the election season.
Morales said the start of the campaign period has been generally peaceful. (PNA)
