Bato, Catanduanes—Five persons are facing charges for alleged violation of Section 28 of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (R.A. 10591) and of Comelec Resolution No. 10446 in relation to Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The cases were filed through inquest proceedings to the Provincial Prosecution Office, Virac, Catanduanes docketed under NPS No. V-II-INQ-19D-00056 and NPS No. V-II-INQ-19D-00057 respectively, under Joint Inquest Resolution issued by lawyer Louie T Guerrero, assistant provincial prosecutor.
Police said the suspects were identified as Rius de la Cruz y Agao, Arnel Suarez y Fuentos, Noel Azores y Abelita, Jony Raco y Tacorda, all residents of Masbate City and John Paul Bernardino y Tumala, resident of Pandan, Catanduanes. The driver is confirmed to be the nephew of congressional candidate Cely Wong. Four units of cal. 45 pistols loaded with ammos (25 pcs) were confiscated. They were arrested at an established Spot Comelec Checkpoint along Barangay Sipi, Bato, Catanduanes by joint elements of Catanduanes Police Intelligence Branch, CAT 1st PMFC (Provincial Mobile Force Company) and Bato MPS. The arresting officers were tipped off about the armed personalities on board a white Toyota Prado (WKA 826), police said.
No bail was recommended for the case filed in violation of Sec. 28 of para (b) of R.A. 10591 while the case in violation of Comelec Resolution No. 10446 in relation to Sec. 261 of the Omnibus Election Code (B.P.881) has recommended bail amounting to Thirty Six Thousand Pesos (Php 36, 000.00) for each of the accused.
The Comelec promulgated Resolution No. 10446 on Nov. 21, 2018 providing “the rules and regulations on the ban on bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons; and the employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period of the May 13, 2019 national and local elections.”
Under Sec. 263 of the Omnibus Election Code, the principals, accomplices and accessories, as defined in the Revised Penal Code, shall be criminally liable for election offenses. The president or head of the political party or entity can also be held liable for the said offense.