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The Philippine National Police has further tightened security and has implemented close monitoring of all entry and exit points in Negros Occidental, following the recent confiscation of high-powered firearms and prohibited drugs from a suspected gunrunner and drug couriers.
Senior Supt. Manuel Felix, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday said the ports of Escalante and San Carlos in northern Negros, as well as Pulupandan, and the Bacolod Silay airport, may be used as entry points of illegal drugs and firearms in the province by unscrupulous individuals during the May 10 elections.
Policemen confiscated six high-powered firearms from a suspected gunrunner who was arrested Tuesday in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Police investigations showed that the suspect, identified as Rodolfo Descamento, was about to transport six .45 caliber pistols and a KG99 machine pistol to Iloilo, when he was intercepted by a police team headed by Supt. Jomil John Trio in Victorias City.
Two weeks ago, a suspected drug supplier and his girlfriend, were also intercepted at the port of San Carlos City, for transporting suspected shabu.
Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also confiscated P700,000 worth of shabu, being sent to Negros Occidental through an airline cargo company at the Bacolod-Silay airport.
Police records also showed that 74 firearms have already been recovered by the police in Negros Occidental, through the enforcement of the Comelec gun ban.
Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, regional police director of Western Visayas, said they will not relax their vigilance over those who continue to defy the Comelec gun ban.
Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Operations and Plans Division chief of the Police Regional Office 6, said they have recovered 142 firearms and 41 bladed weapons from the 169 arrested gun ban violators, since Jan. 10.
*GPB
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