Town mayor Saluwang of Cotabato, 3 others nabbed for gun ban violation

Authorities in Davao City apprehend Nabalawag town Mayor Anwar Zumpaga Saluwang (in Cotabato province), his driver, and his two bodyguards at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril in Davao City on Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, 2025. (Photo from the PRO 11)

MANILA, Philippines — A municipal mayor from Cotabato province, his two bodyguards, and his driver were apprehended at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City.

They reportedly violated the gun ban, which is in effect because of the 2025 midterm elections.

The spot report from the Police Regional Office 11 released Wednesday morning said police at the checkpoint stopped a vehicle at around 10 p.m. on Feb. 4.

Upon inspection, law enforcers reportedly saw an exposed handle grip on the driver’s left side.

Further checking led to the discovery of a firearm of an unidentified caliber on the vehicle’s floor mat between the feet of a passenger in the back seat.

The passenger was later identified by PRO 11 as Mayor Anwar Zumpaga Saluwang of Nabalawag town.

The two other passengers in the vehicle, later identified as Saluwang’s bodyguards, were found in possession of a magazine with ammunition, the PRO 11 said.

READ: 648 gun ban violators logged so far – PNP

The four suspects were arrested for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, according to the Davao Region police.

When asked to react in a chance interview Wednesday in Camp Crame, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the suspects, if convicted, may face jail time of one to six years as well as the revocation of their right to vote and hold public office.

“Your state in life is not important. It’s not important whether you’ll be made out to be bad. The mere act of bringing a firearm outside the residence without a Comelec exemption is a violation of the laws mentioned,” Laudiangco said in Filipino.