Pidigan: Authorities arrested 12 individuals and confiscated several firearms and ammunition in an operation in Pidigan town over the weekend. A lawyer who tried to intervene was likewise arrested and may be charged with obstruction of justice.
According to Philippines News Agency, Col. Daniel Pel-ey, spokesperson and chief of community affairs of the Abra Provincial Police Office, stated in a press briefing Sunday that the arrests prevented the possible use of weapons that may disrupt the polls. Pel-ey remarked, "Maganda at nahuli natin dahil hindi na nila magagamit makapanggulo sa araw ng election," emphasizing the importance of the operation in maintaining peace during the election period.
The operation was initiated following a reported disturbance in Barangay Laskig around 5:20 p.m. Saturday. Responding law enforcers observed an individual carrying a firearm, leading them to secure the area and inspect two pickup trucks nearby. Six individuals were arrested from each vehicle.
The police confiscated two M16A1 rifles, one Bushmaster rifle, eight loaded 5.56 mm magazines containing 224 rounds, four .45 caliber pistols with magazines and 51 rounds, 12 9mm rounds, four tactical holsters, four sling bags, and six ballistic vests from one of the vehicles. The other pickup truck yielded two .45 caliber pistols with full magazines-one from the driver and one from a passenger. Authorities noted that one of the recovered weapons had markings indicating it may have originally belonged to the United States government.
Pel-ey mentioned that authorities are still verifying whether the firearms are licensed or considered loose, and are checking the registration of the two vehicles. The six male passengers in one vehicle are residents of Langiden and Pidigan towns, while those from the other vehicle are residents of Caloocan, Manila, and Abra.
The suspects were taken to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical examinations and subsequently to the Pidigan Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of charges of violation of the election gun ban and illegal possession of firearms. The lawyer, aged 33, is from Irisan, Baguio City.
Over 400 police officers have been deployed to Abra, a province with a consistent history of election-related violence. As per the May 7 list of election areas of concern, Bangued, Bucay, and Pilar are under the orange category (presence of armed groups), while Lagayan, Pidigan, Tayum, Tineg, Dolores, and Lagangilang are under the yellow category (history of political unrest).
