PNP: Nationwide gun ban lifted, over 3,600 violators arrested
At A Glance
- A total of 3,702 firearms were confiscated since the gun ban started on Jan. 12.
A total of 3,616 people, including foreigners and members of law enforcement agencies, were arrested during the five-month implementation of nationwide gun ban for the midterm elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday, June 12.
The gun ban, which started on Jan. 12, was lifted on Wednesday, June 11, with a total of 3,702 firearms that include 1,317 revolvers; 1,057 pistols; 28 rifles; 28 shotguns; and 908 classified as other firearms.
PNP chief, Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III said the operation against loose firearms will continue as part of their job of peace and order and law enforcement.
“We will not let up. The conclusion of the gun ban marks a transition, not an end. The PNP remains committed to sustaining peace, preventing gun-related violence, and protecting every Filipino from crime and lawlessness,” said Torre.
Torre attributed the arrests and confiscations to the conduct of checkpoints and strategic police operations.
Based on the PNP data, a total of 998,679 checkpoints were conducted nationwide since the start of the gun ban on Jan. 12.
The checkpoints led to 265 arrests while 1,879 individuals were arrested during police response operations.
Of the 3,616 arrested individuals, 3,462 were civilians; 61 were security guards, 16 were foreign nationals; 21 were police personnel; 19 were soldiers, 14 were elected government officials, seven were from other law enforcement agencies while three were children in conflict with the law.
The NCRPO logged the highest number of arrested individuals at 1,271, followed by Region 3 with 435, Region 7 with 429, and Region 4A with 336.
Other regions also reported significant enforcement results, including Region 6 with 113, Region 10 with 112, and Region 1 with 103.