3 Bago residents nabbed
for stoning ambulances

Three residents of Bago City were arrested for allegedly throwing broken beer bottles at two ambulances at a bridge in Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City, at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Arrested were Erwin Valdez Flores, 24, Leo Ibañez Calaguas, 24, and Ernie Flores Bergalino, 21, of Brgy. Poblacion, Bago City who are now facing complaints of malicious mischief, police reports said. Jerryme Esmelarin Juaningon, 24, driver of the La Castellana ambulance told the police he was driving from south to north over the bridge when broken beer bottles hit his vehicle.

The beer bottles also hit the La Carlota ambulance with a patient on board that was tailing his vehicle, Juaningon said. The radiator of the La Carlota ambulance was damaged, he added.

He said he and his helper, Timoteo Lim, 53, and SPO1 Eduardo Federizo of Police Station 9, chased the suspects who attempted to escape, but were intercepted in Purok 9, Brgy. Sum-ag, police reports said.

Acting Bacolod City police director, Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, yesterday commended the Police Station 9 policemen led by Insp. Augustus Buenaventura for their quick response. He also instructed Buenaventura to file a case against the suspects.*DMG

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Gun privileges suspension set

Philippine National Police chief, Director General Oscar Calderon, said that all gun carrying privileges issued by the PNP will be suspended when a nationwide 150-day gun ban takes effect on January 14, the start of the election period for the May 14 national and local elections.

He said that the validity of Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence will be suspended from January 14 to June 13, a Philippine Information Agency press release said. Only those authorized by law will be allowed to carry guns during the election period, Calderon said.

The implementation of the gun ban is contained in En Banc Resolution No. 7764 issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that regulates the transport of firearms and explosives, employment of bodyguards, and bearing of firearms by security forces, the press release said. Under the resolution, only regular members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies on official duty and in complete uniform are allowed to carry issued firearms.

During the election period, the Comelec, through the Committee on Firearms and Security Personnel, is the sole authority that can issue permits to carry firearms outside of residence.

He also formed Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections) in preparation for the polls.

Meanwhile, Comelec Negros Occidental acting Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez said violations of the gun ban would be considered election offenses and violators will face criminal charges, the press release said.*

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