A suspected member of a notorious robbery group in Iloilo province was arrested for possession of an explosive and firearm during a checkpoint operation at Brgy. Damires, Janiuay, Iloilo.

John Paul Eslabon, 23, a resident of Agusipan, Badiagan town, was driving a motorcycle when the arrest happened.

Inspector Marius Amar, Janiuay police chief, said that meters before the checkpoint, Eslabon and his backrider maneuvered for a U-turn to evade getting inspected.

But they headed for an escape route where another police team was manning.

A pistolized shotgun and hand grenade were recovered from Eslabon’s possession. However, his companion, whom he only identified as alias Mistah, jumped off the motorcycle and eluded arrest.

The arrested suspect remained tight-lipped on his companion and his reason for bringing an explosive and firearm.

But Senior Supt. Gil Lebin, police provincial director, suspected that Eslabon and his companion was planning another robbery stint.

Lebin theorized that the alias Mistah is Eliseo Madayag, the leader of the Magkal Group, a robbery group named after a snake magkal because of their slippery nature.

Eslabon added to the growing list of arrested persons violating the election gun ban.

As of Wednesday, the Police Regional Office 6 recorded five violators of gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections.

On Sunday, three persons were arrested for gun ban.

Roberto Norilla, 18, single, of Barangay San Fernando, San Jose, Antique was arrested two hours past midnight of January 13.

Recovered from his possession was a Smith and Wesson caliber .22 revolver with three cartridges.

At 5:30 a.m., Marjun Gallano, 23, of Purok Paho, Barangay Canlandog, Murcia, Negros Occidental was apprehended by the members of 12 Infantry Battalion, Delta Cadre Company of the Philippine Army for firing his gun.

Recovered from his possession was one homemade hand gun (caliber .38 revolver) with six cartridges.

At 7 a.m., Florentino Pepito, 32, single, of Barangay Mabili, Banate, Iloilo was arrested by Banate police after he was seen with a gun tucked on his waist while inside the public market.

 Recovered from his possession were caliber .38 revolver (homemade) with defaced serial number and three cartridges.

On Monday evening, Primato Buenvenida, 49, married, of Barangay So-ol, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo was arrested by the members of 3rd Maneuver Platoon, Iloilo Provincial Public Safety Company in a checkpoint  operations at Barangay Ilaya, Poblacion, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

Recovered from his possession were one smith and Wesson without serial number (caliber .38 revolver) and three live ammos.

Last Wednesday, Rex Peñol, 23, married, of Barangay Lapayon, Leganes, Iloilo was arrested in a disco bar at Barangay Hipodromo, Iloilo City.

He was yielded with an Armscor (.45 pistol) with serial number 1026523 with five cartridges and a fan knife.*