The police is now preparing charges for violation of the Comelec gun ban against the 12 security guards of the MGE Cornerstone hired by landowner Magdaleno Peña, for bringing their firearms outside their duty areas.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday said the 12 security guards whose duty detail orders cover only areas of Brgy. Ubay in Pulupandan, have committed a violation by being present and bringing firearms in Brgy. Zone 2 of the town.

Peña claimed that Brgy. Zone 2 in Pulupandan forms part of their family property.

Franco said the security guards who are temporarily held at the Pulupandan Police Station, also failed to present documents from the Comelec, allowing them to carry firearms outside their duty areas.

Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon yesterday commended the police for their performance, citing the confiscation of the firearms from the security guards who had gone out from their duty areas.

"It assures the people of Pulupandan that policemen are doing their job of maintaining peace and order", Marañon said.

Comelec provincial supervisor Jessie Suarez shared the statement of Franco that the 12 security guards could be held liable for violation of the Comelec gun ban.

Pulupandan police probers also discovered that two of the identification cards presented by security guards are fake.

Documents of the 13 shotguns and a 9mm pistol owned by the security guards are now being checked by the Pulupandan police at the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office.

Peña said the guards belong to a security agency so the firearms in question are not his. He assured that he would not tolerate violence in Pulupandan.

Mayor Luis Mondia who met yesterday with Franco, said the Sangguniang Bayan of Pulupandan is now finalizing a resolution asking the Comelec to place Pulupandan under its control.

On Sunday, tension rose after about 300 angry town residents removed barricades made of barbed wire along the passageways in Greenbeach, Barangay Zone 1, Pulupandan, set up on orders of Peña.

This almost led to a showdown with 30 alleged followers of Peña who were seen wearing fatigue uniforms. Brgy. Zone 1 Captain Nelita Mondia said she suspects they were carrying firearms.

Peña had earlier sent notices of eviction to about 2,000 households in Pulupandan that he said are squatting on property owned by him and his family.

Marañon reiterated his appeal to Peña for "human consideration".

Meanwhile, he said the Provincial Legal Office will provide assistance to Pulupandan residents who seek assistance from his office.

Pulupandan has a 3-hectare relocation area but it can only accommodate 300 to 400 squatters who may be relocated from the Montilla land, he said.

About 20 hectares would be needed to relocate all 2,000 families being evicted, he said.

The Mondia and Peña families are contesting the Pulupandan mayoralty race in the May 14 elections.

The management of MGE Cornerstone Security Agency, in an interview with ABS-CBN, said they have decided to recall the 12 security guards from Pulupandan.

Franco said the peace and order situation in Pulupandan is now back to normal.*GPB

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