Two individuals were arrested for illegal possession of firearms in the province on the first day of implementation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban on Sunday as part of security measures for the midterm polls in May.

The two men, identified as Marvin Mejos, 22, of Barangay Tawala in Panglao and Joseph Solamillo, 29, of Tagbilaran City, were apprehended for violating Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act of 2013.”

In a report, police said that Mejos was apprehended shortly past midnight at a checkpoint manned by composite team led by Sr. Insp. Neon Alvarez and the town’s election officer Arvin Curayag.

Mejos, on board his Yamaha Mio Sporty, allegedly tried to evade arrest but was later surrounded by police.

The arresting officers found in Mejos’ possession a black sling bag which contained a 9mm pistol.

Later in the day, police arrested Solamillo, an employee of DAKAI Construction, who was allegedly in possession of an improvised shotgun, locally known as “sumpak.”

According to Tagbilaran deputy police chief Senior Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing, residents near the Bohol Institute of Technology along CPG North Avenue reported that Solamillo was drunk and brandishing his gun.

Police then responded arresting Solamillo and seizing his improvised gun at past 2 p.m.

The start of the Comelec gun ban marked the official start of the election period which runs from January 13 to June 12. (RT)