CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Police seized 95 loose firearms, explosives, and bladed weapons and arrested 40 violators of the barangay elections gun ban in this province from August 28 to September 26.
Police Col. Richard Caballero, Nueva Ecija police chief, said six violators were arrested in Commission on Elections checkpoints, eight in buy-bust operations, three in police response, four in “Oplan: Sita,” two in patrolling, one in an anti-criminality checkpoint, one in an anti-illegal gambling operation, eight in the implementation of search warrants, one in “Manhunt Charlie” operations, and one in police operation.
Seized from the suspects were caliber .38 revolvers (19), caliber .45 pistols (six), caliber .22 (five), caliber .32 (one), caliber 9mm (one), airgun or gun replica (two), homemade shotgun (one), explosives (12), and bladed weapons (three).
A total of 454 loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered by gun owners to police stations for safekeeping in response to the Philippine National Police “Balik-Baril” program.
Suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.