5 nabbed at E. Samar checkpoint for illegal possession of firearms

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ORMOC CITY, Philippines–Five individuals were apprehended by police manning a checkpoint in Barangay Tangbo, Arteche town, Eastern Samar, on Election Day after firearms and other illegal items were discovered in their vehicle.

The police said that during the inspection of the Isuzu Elf Truck carrying the suspects, checkpoint personnel observed the handle of a firearm partially exposed and concealed beneath a tarpaulin.

This prompted the team to immediately order all passengers to disembark from the truck.

The suspects, identified only by their aliases “Milo,” “Kiel,” “Red,” “Rey,” and “Romy,” did not resist arrest.

The police added that a thorough search of the vehicle led to the confiscation of two long firearms, three guns with ammunition, three handheld radios with headsets, one sling bag, and a cellular phone.

Charges for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in relation to the election gun ban were being readied by the police against the suspects.

The local police are conducting a thorough investigation into the identity of the owners of the guns and whether the suspects are working for a local politician. /cfc