Pampanga: Four soldiers were arrested for violating the election gun ban in Pampanga province, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, in a presser at Camp Crame, stated that the suspects, all members of the Philippine Army, were apprehended by officers from the San Simon Police Station around 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday. The arrest followed a report from a concerned citizen named “Mark,” a 39-year-old driver for a Chinese businessman and a resident of Barangay San Agustin.
Mark reported that a silver Toyota Innova had been suspiciously tailing his vehicle between San Simon and Valenzuela City over the previous five days. The same vehicle was also seen near Global Aseana Business Park 1 in Barangay San Isidro, San Simon town.
Responding officers tracked down the vehicle at a gasoline station. As they approached, one suspect brandished a firearm and attempted to flee. The police shot the vehicle’s tire to prevent escape, leading to a brief evasion by the suspects before they were intercepted and captured along Quezon Road in Barangay San Isidro.
One suspect suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and was taken to a nearby hospital. Seized from the suspects were a Glock 17 9mm pistol, a caliber .45 pistol, various ammunition and magazines, four two-way radios, a video camera, four Armed Forces of the Philippines IDs, and the silver Toyota Innova.
Fajardo, who also heads the Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon), emphasized the lack of coordination from the Army regarding the soldiers’ mission. She noted that they are investigating potential links to criminal activities, such as kidnapping.
The suspects face charges of illegal possession of firearms, violation of the election gun ban, unjust vexation, and grave threat. “The gun ban is in full force and applies to everyone, regardless of position, rank, or affiliation. Uniformed personnel are not exempt. We will not allow anyone to compromise public safety, especially during the election period,” Fajardo asserted.
