PNP: Firearms, ammo seized from mayor's house in Lanao

A town mayor in Lanao del Norte province is in hot water after police seized a cache of firearms in her home before dawn Wednesday. The Philippine National Police said a composite police and military team had served a search warrant on the house of Pantao Ragat town Vice Mayor Lacson Mangotara Lantud. "The subject was not present in his residence but the wife, Hon. Eleanor Dimaporo, incumbent Mayor of Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Nortem received the Search Warrant in the presence of Barangay Officials as witnesses," the PNP said in a news release on its website. The PNP also said the number of violators of the election gun ban also went up to 864 as of 7:36 a.m. Wednesday. Seized from the house were:

• 1 M-60
• 1 BAR
• six M203 grenade launchers
• two M79 grenade launchers
• nine M-14 rifles
• two M-16 rifles
• 14 Garand rifles
• six short handguns
• assorted ammunition.

The mayor and the seized firearms were brought to the regional headquarters of Region 10 "for proper disposition," the PNP said. 864 violators Meanwhile, the PNP said 864 people had been arrested for violating the gun ban as of Wednesday. These included 779 civilians, 11 government officials, 53 security guards, one Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit, five soldiers, 12 policemen and one fireman. At least 801 firearms had been seized, along with 29 grenades, 165 explosives and 220 bladed weapons. During the gun ban which lasts until June 12, only law enforcers in uniform and on duty may carry firearms outside their homes. — KBK, GMA News