Two men were arrested by police for alleged possession of firearm in Balilihan on Monday.

The suspects, Narciso Sarol of Sagbayan and Benjie Agcol of Tagbilaran City, face charges for violations against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban and Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act, said Master Sgt. Randy Itong of the Balilihan Police Station.

According to Itong, Sarol and Agcol who were with several other persons, on foot and riding at least two motorcycles, were accosted by three residents of Barangay Datag Norte.

Sarol’s group was allegedly flashing lights at houses in the area prompting residents to go out at past 2 a.m. on Monday.

As the residents went out of their houses to investigate, the group scattered and fled the area but Sarol and Agcol were not able to run, said Itong.

“Dihay sige og iwag sa flashlight naapil ang ilang balay nga naa sila didto mao tong gigawas nila apil pod tong mga silingan nanggawas, unya nanagan ang uban kaning duha [Sarol and Agcol] wala ni makadagan kay wa daw kadaganan kay wa ka tood,” said Itong.

Residents Eleazer Sido, Eugenio Biloy and Ricardo Calope asked Sarol what was inside his sling bag which later accidentally fell, revealing a .38 caliber pistol.

Sarol and Agcol who were outnumbered were held by residents in the area and later turned over to the Balilihan police, Itong added.

Based on the police’s initial probe, Sarol and Agcol said that they were paid P300 to accompany the group which roamed the area.

They however refused to identify who paid them.

According to Itong, Sido, Biloy and Calope are aligned with local political group Abante Balilihan. (A. Doydora)