78 Guns Seized Since Start of Election Ban in Ilocos Region

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region 1 has confiscated at least 78 assorted firearms and arrested 65 persons in the implementation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban and “Kontra Boga”, or intensified drive against loose firearms since January this year.

Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, Regional Director of the PNP Region 1, said 65 were classified as low-powered and 13 were high-powered firearms.

“These were seized during the checkpoint, service of search warrants, internal security and other police operations all over the region,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Pangasinan province tops the most number of confiscated firearms with 44, and arrested persons with 48 based on the latest police report.

This is followed by Ilocos Sur with 19 firearms confiscated and seven persons arrested; La Union has eight firearms and six persons, while Ilocos Norte recorded four firearms and two persons.

In addition, the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detective Unit 1 has also seized three firearms and arrested two persons.

In an effort to prevent the proliferation of loose firearms in the region, Sapitula has ordered his men to intensify the conduct of police operations and establishment of checkpoints in strategic locations.

Since the start of election gun ban on January 13, police authorities reported a total of 17 firearms surrendered and 126 deposited firearms.

To date, at least 35 politicians, 40 political candidates, and 53 civilians deposited their firearms in their respective police stations for safekeeping in compliance with the election gun ban which will last until June 12 this year. (PNA)