Another Army soldier arrested for alleged illegal discharge of firearms in Kabankalan City, was charged yesterday by the police for violation of the Comele gun ban and for illegal possession of firearms.

Arrested Sunday night by troopers of the 6th Regional Mobile Group was PFC Edwin Roca, a member of the 11th Infantry Battalion.

Supt. Roderick Alba, Kabankalan police chief, yesterday said Roca is still detained at the police station jail.

Last week, SSgt. Edwin Demontano, a member of the 542nd Engineering Cinstruction, was also arrested in Bacolod City, and charged for violation of the Comelec gun ban. He was found with two fragmentation grenades.

Roca, also of Kabankalan City, was disarmed of his 9mm pistol with a magazine containing four ammunition. However, he claimed that the gun went off accidentally. Violation of the Comelec gun ban is a non-bailable offense, the police said.

The firing of a gun allegedly by Roca, took place on Sunday at the public plaza of Kabankalan City, while the Sinulog Festibal was being celebrated.

Security Guard Artemio Bongitan who was also arrested for having a 12-gauge-shotgun in Sagay City on Jan 18, is also facing charges for violation of Comelec gun ban, the police said.

Nine guns of various calibers have already been recovered by the police, three of them seized by joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as well as the 612nd PMG, since the start of election period on Jan. 14.*GPB

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