Comelec Gun Ban Violators Now At 3,684

Less than two weeks before the elections, the Philippine National Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of more than 3,600 persons for violating the nationwide election gun ban.

Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, 3,684 persons, mostly civilians, have been apprehended for carrying firearms since the implementation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban on January 10.

The figure includes 3,543 civilians, 42 security guards, 25 government officials, 28 police officers, 17 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, fsix employees of a law enforcement agency, nine from threat groups, nine also from Private Armed Groups (PAGS), three members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and one Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel, Mayor said.

He added that the PNP confiscated 2,952 firearms, 32,643 deadly weapons, 242 grenades, 311 other explosives, 139 firearm replicas, 1,082 bladed/pointed weapons and 30,869 pieces of ammunition.

The gun ban is being implemented by the PNP and other law enforcement agencies in line with the country’s national and local elections on May 9. It started on Jan. 10 and will last until June 8. (PNA) BNB/CLTC