CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Police seized 60 loose firearms during the implementation of the gun ban in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election period in this province from August 28 to November 28.
As a result, this BSKE was most peaceful election ever in Nueva Ecija, said Police Col. Richard V. Caballero, provincial police chief.
Nine firearms were confiscated in Commission on Elections and anti-criminality checkpoints, 14 in anti-illegal drug and buy-bust operations, 15 in police response, four in “Oplan: Sita,” four in patrols, one in anti-illegal gambling operations, 12 in service of search warrants, and one in Manhunt Charlie operations.
Twenty-eight were caliber .38, 10 caliber .45, seven caliber .22, one caliber .32, three 9mm, three homemade shotguns, and eight air guns and gun replicas.
Twenty-six different explosives and 11 bladed or pointed weapons were also seized.
Seventy persons arrested in these operations were charged with violation of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.
Three suspects died in lawful police operations during the gun ban.
One-hundred twenty-seven firearms of different calibers were recovered through the Philippine National Police “Balik-Baril” program during the period.