GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- At least 26 persons have been arrested in Soccsksargen (Region 12) for violating the ban on selling and consumption of alcoholic products in line with the ongoing elections.
Brig Gen. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, said Monday the violators were nabbed during enforcement operations conducted by local police units.
He said 14 of them were arrested in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat, five each in this city and in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and two in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Another suspected liquor ban violator in Lake Sebu managed to escape during an operation and has been listed as “at-large”, he said.
"All suspects are currently in the custody of the concerned police stations and being readied for inquest," Rasco said.
A report released by the PRO-12's regional public information office said the violations were recorded from 6:15 p.m. Sunday to 12:25 a.m. Monday.
In Isulan town, it said that at least 12 persons were caught in the act of having a drinking session at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Seized from the suspects were "several bottles of beer, a videoke unit, microphone, tables, and chairs."
A long-neck bottle of rum was recovered from two suspects in another operation in Isulan, a 375 ml bottle of rum from two suspects in Midsayap and a one-liter bottle of rum and one drinking glass from three suspects in Barangay Calumpang here.
Rasco said he directed their personnel to continue with the enforcement operations until the end of the 48-hour liquor ban, which ends midnight Monday. (PNA)
