PNP: 2,485 election gun ban violators arrested, so far
The Philippine National Police in Abra sets up a checkpoint in one of the strategic areas in the province in this photo taken on Jan. 12, 2025 to enforce the gun ban and strengthen security during the election period. (PNP ABRA)
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 2,485 election gun ban violators were recorded as of April 17,2025, data from the election-related monitoring of the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed.
According to the data, the PNP have arrested 2,376 civilians, 42 security guards, 17 PNP personnel, 14 Armed Forces of the Philippines members, 12 foreign nationals, nine elected government officials, six other law enforcement authorities, five members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary and two alleged members of communist terrorist groups.
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The violators were arrested in 1,245 police response and patrol operations, 416 anti-illegal drugs operations, 168 checkpoints, 159 gun buy bust operation, 455 other law enforcement operations and one internal security operation.
This led to the confiscation of 2,560 firearms, including 2,311 small firearms, 99 replica guns, 60 explosives, 55 light weapons, 26 airsoft; and nine unknown firearms.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) previously said that firearm replicas are included in the gun ban imposed nationwide.
This includes airsoft, airguns, imitation firearms, and other gun replicas.
The Comelec, however, also clarified that toy guns, and those easily and readily distinguishable from real firearms, are excluded from the gun ban.
The PNP data noted that there are an average of 7,517 Comelec checkpoints daily.
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The Comelec set the gun ban period from January 12, 2025 to June 11, 2025. The imposition of a gun ban is aimed at ensuring peace and order to lessen gun-related violence for the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections.
