CAMP FLORENDO San Fernando La Union – the Region 1 police headed by Chief Superintendent Ericson T. Velasquez collared around 329 violators and confiscated 244 assorted firearms for the duration of COMELEC gun ban implemented all over the region from January 10 to June 8, 2016.
Chief Superintendent Velasquez, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1), said the 329 persons include 310 civilians, 12 government officials and employees, five security guards and two members of the Philippine National Police (PNP). These were arrested for carrying firearms, gun replicas, airgun/airsoft gun, explosives and bladed weapons.
Based on data from the PRO1’s Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), 145 were arrested in Pangasinan, 62 in La Union, 54 in Ilocos Sur and 68 in Ilocos Norte.
The Region 1 police also seized 244 assorted firearms composed of 82 high powered and 162 low powered firearms; 30 firearm replicas, air guns and airsoft gun; 32 bladed weapons; and 36 grenade and explosives.
PCSupt. Velasquez said the violators were arrested through checkpoint operations, buy-bust and police response. A total of 316 incidents were recorded wherein 172 were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, 128 were filed in court, two under investigation, two referred to the DSWD, 10 were dismissed by Prosecutor’s Office and two had no case filed.
Meanwhile, PCSupt. Velasquez on Monday (June 6) conferred the Medalya ng Kasanayan and Medalya ng Papuri to personnel assigned at the PRO1 headquarters who rendered election duties during the 2016 national and local elections.
The Regional Director also conferred awards to his ground police personnel during the ceremonial awarding conducted at the Police Provincial Offices of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.
By HENT