2025 polls gun ban: 691 violators so far – PNP
STREET WATCH FOR POLLS Policemen stationed at a Commission on Elections checkpoint on Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila monitor passing vehicles in this file photo in January 2025. At least 14 checkpoints will be set up around Manila to maintain public safety and order during the election period, which began on Jan. 12. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded 691 violators so far of the gun ban for the 2025 national and local elections.
Data released on Friday showed the following were apprehended by police for skirting the ban on firearms over the election season, as of Feb. 6:
- 650 civilians
- 22 security guards
- Six Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel
- Four foreign nationals
- Three personnel of other law enforcement agencies
- Two appointed government officials
- One elected government official
- One PNP personnel, on absence without leave
- One Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary personnel
The National Capital Region had the most arrests with 206 violators, followed by Central Luzon with 117 arrests, then by Central Visayas with 70.
The number of firearms confiscated rose to 692 so far, which are the following:
- 269 revolvers
- 208 pistols
- 33 replica guns
- 17 class A guns
- 13 explosives
- Eight rifles
- Six shotguns
- 138 other types of firearms
Further, the PNP reported conducting 186,235 checkpoint operations so far, as of Feb. 6.
Firearms were confiscated in the following operations:
- 302 police response operations
- 95 anti-illegal drug operations
- 75 checkpoint operations
- 42 gun buy-bust operations
- 178 other law enforcement operations
“Yung aresto nila (referring to the police) na pagkolekta ng firearms ay para sa operation ng anti-illegal drugs, other law enforcement and police response,” PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño explained in an interview with reporters in Camp Crame on Friday.
(Their arrests and collection of firearms were more from anti-illegal drug operations, other law enforcement and police response.)
