FIVE CIVILIANS were arrested in Catanduanes for violating the gun ban, which is in effect in line with the May midterm elections. In a statement on Sunday, the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office (CATPPO) reported that the Catanduanes Police Intelligence Branch, Catanduanes 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Bato Municipal Police Station have taken into custody five men who were caught carrying firearms at a Commission on Elections checkpoint in Bato, Catanduanes. They were identified as Rius de la Cruz, Arnel Suarez, Noel Azores, Jony Raco, and John Paul Bernardino. “Confiscated from the suspects were four units of cal. 45 pistols loaded with ammos (25 pcs),” said CATPPO Director Paul F. Abay. Charges are now being prepared against the five. The gun ban for the 2019 national and local elections began Jan. 13 and will be in effect until June 12. — Gillian M. Cortez

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