A 41-year-old businessman from Jaro district in Iloilo City is the first reported violator of the election gun ban in Western Visayas.
Anthony Ryan Soliva, a resident of Barangay Tabuc Suba, was arrested early Sunday morning, Jan. 12, the first day of the nationwide gun ban.
The gun ban, which will be in effect until June 11, is part of the security measures implemented by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the midterm elections on May 12.
The Jaro police station recovered two 9mm pistols, two magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition, one Armalite rifle, eight magazines, and 251 rounds of ammunition from Jugao.
The firearms were found inside the suspect’s pickup truck by responding police officers during their plain view inspection.
The vehicle was involved in a road mishap. It plowed into bibingka stalls in Barangay Seminaryo, Jaro, Iloilo City. No one was hurt in the incident.
Soliva is now detained at the police station and will be charged for violation of Republic Act Nos. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and 7166 (election gun ban).IMT
