PNP: 1,398 individuals arrested for violating election gun ban

GUN CHECK Police inspect vehicles at a Commission on Elections checkpoint along Tapuac Road in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, on Jan. 12, at the start of the election gun ban. — INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / WILLY LOMIBAO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far arrested 1,398 individuals, including nine of its personnel, who reportedly violated the election gun ban.

Citing the National Election Monitoring Action Center’s latest data, the PNP said the figure was monitored from January 12 to March 1 this year.

Of this figure, 1,328 are civilians, 31 are security guards, nine are police officers, seven are Armed Forces of the Philippines members, and six are foreign nationals, among others.

The report showed that most violators were monitored in Metro Manila with 419, followed by Central Luzon with 186 and Calabarzon with 106.

Authorities also conducted checkpoints and police operations that resulted in the confiscation of 1,422 firearms.

The PNP also reported that it had validated six election-related incidents.

Three of these were logged in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and one each in Ilocos, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen.

The PNP started implementing the nationwide election gun ban last January 12.

The police force said the gun ban aims to ensure peace and order, as the government believes it could lessen gun-related violence during the midterm polls in May.