An appointed mayor in the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) and his three bodyguards were arrested with firearms and ammunition at a checkpoint in Toril, Davao City evening on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
The mayor and his bodyguards were on board a pickup truck when, during inspection at the checkpoint, authorities found that they were carrying guns and ammunition.
“Yung isang baril nakuha natin sa kanyang driver, ang isa naman nandoon sa paa ng mayor na nakuha natin. Si mayor nakaupo doon sa likod ng sasakyan,” Toril Police Station Commander, Major Sheryl Bautista, said.
Authorities seized a caliber .45 pistol, 9mm caliber pistol, magazines, and other ammunition.
“Aminado naman siya after I personally interviewed him na nagdala naman siya ng baril. Although licensed ‘yung baril niya, however, upon verification, wala siyang naipakitang certificate of authority na kinakailangan para magkaroon siya ng authority na magdala ng firearms,” Bautista added.
The firearms were registered under the mayor’s name but they allegedly failed to present documents from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) exempting them from the gun ban.
GMA Regional TV One Mindanao reached out to the mayor and his bodyguards for a statement, but they did not responded.
The mayor was supposed to attend a budget training in Davao City together with other mayors of SGA-BARMM on February 6, 2025.
Police are preparing the charges to be filed against the mayor and his companions for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591) and Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.
“Whatever your position in the government, kahit ano pa mang status mo sa society, we will be implementing the election gun ban strictly,” Bautista said.
(With reports from Rgil Relator, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)