Davao arrests mayor over gun permit violation

Police arrested Anwar Saluwang, an appointed mayor from Nabalawag in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), along with his three aides in Davao City on Tuesday, February 4.

Saluwang and his aides were detained at a checkpoint set up by Task Force Davao for carrying firearms without necessary permits, violating the election gun ban enforced by COMELEC ahead of the May 12 elections.

Despite claims that they were returning from training in Davao and had pending gun ban exemption applications, the mayor and his aides could not present required permits to carry firearms.

The authorities recovered two pistols from Saluwang's group: a 9mm pistol with 46 rounds and a .45-caliber pistol with two magazines containing 15 rounds.

Officials stated that Mr. Saluang and his companions failed to show the necessary clearance from COMELEC allowing them to carry firearms outside their residences, as required by the nationwide ban that started on January 12.

The Davao City Police Office will now prosecute Saluwang and his escorts for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec-imposed gun ban.