30 guns issued to bocaps confiscated

By Mar T Supnad

CAMP QUIRINO, Bantay, Ilocos Sur -- As political campaign here heated up, 30 guns composed of calibers 45 and 9mm issued to barangay captains in Sto. Domingo town was confiscated by police authorities to ease political tensions in the town.

Senior Supt. Eduard Dopale, officer in charge of Ilocos Sur police, said they confiscated the guns after former lawmaker and municipal mayor candidate Mariano Tajon filed a complaint.

The issuance of guns to the barangay captains also earned criticism from local newsmen here who said this will exacerbate political tension in the town.

Dopale said, however, that the guns were just "deposited" at the provincial police office and will be released once the election period is finished.

Tajon told the Commission on election officials led by by lawyer Marino “Mar” Salas and police headed by Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr., Region 1 police director, that the incumbent town of mayor of this town had bought the guns using the municipal government fund, then distributed it to the barangay captains few days ago, which he said was a total disregard to the Comelec gun ban.

“While the Comelec and the PNP are totally implementing the total gun ban, my opponent in Sto. Doming is distributing guns to the barangay leaders,” said Tajon.

He added even during the time of the infamous “Saka-saka” time ( goons in barefoot) he had not experienced holding even as fan knife during election period.
He said that of the 36 barangay captains, 34 got the guns.

But Seniot Insp. Arsemio T. Ramos, chief of police of Sto. Domingo said only 32 barangay captains actually received guns.

He said based on theLocal Government Code, barangay captains can legally possess guns provided these are licensed. “As far as the Local government law is concerned, there is no such illegal possession since they (captains) are allowed to posses guns to protect themselves,” Ramos said.

Azares, for his part, said that they will strictly enforce Comelec rules on gun ban, warning that they will arrest anyone who brings guns outside their residence.

Ramos said, however, that the pace and order situation in his town is peaceful, since there is almost no shooting incident since the start of political season although there are “sometimes word war among the candidates.”