‘When illicit firearms are used in election violence and many people die, it becomes news worthy of newspaper space and TV coverage. But when violence is nipped in the bud because of timely police action, it is seldom reported in the media.’
ELECTION-RELATED violence claimed its latest victim in Malabon City where political leader Renato Canilao, 47, was gunned down on Tuesday afternoon after attending a meeting of supporters and staff of Rep. Jaye Lacson-Noel.
The attack was done in broad daylight, with the gunman leaving the scene nonchalantly, unmindful of any witnesses. It was also made at the height of the Comelec’s gun ban period.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has its plate full of complaints and tips about where illegal firearms and bullets may be found, but the police have to follow legal requirements in tracing and finally confiscating these firearms, including the application of a proper search warrant in court.
When illicit firearms are used in election violence and many people die, it becomes news worthy of newspaper space and TV coverage. But when violence is nipped in the bud because of timely police action, it is seldom reported in the media.
This is why we chose to cite in this space the accomplishment of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Quezon province led by Lt. Col. Ariel Huesca, the PNP Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and the Catanauan, Quezon Police for the confiscation of illegal firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition in Catanauan town in the Bondoc Peninsula on May 3.
Armed with a search warrant issued by Calamba City Regional Trial Court, 4th Judicial Region, Branch 36 Judge Glenda Menoza-Ramos, the police swooped down on the MJIEL Construction Compound in Sitio NFA, Barangay Madulao, Catanauan.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said suspects Meil Yu Tan, 35 and Jacqueline Tan, 38, were in possession of an M16 Armalite rifle, a cal. 40 pistol, a cal. 9mm pistol, a cal. 45 pistol, a caliber Super 38 pistol, 12-gauge shotgun, magazines and 1,110 assorted bullets. Media men in Quezon noted that the suspects made numerous construction projects in the province.
To achieve a peaceful and honest election on May 9, the PNP should provide muscle to the Commission on Elections’ gun ban campaign, as they did in Quezon.
