Police arrested 31 violators and confiscated at least 80 firearms on the first day of the implementation of the nationwide gun ban on Sunday, Jan. 12.

Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the aggressive operations against unauthorized possession of guns outside of residence and unregistered firearms for the election period also resulted in the confiscation of 539 bullets.

Of the 31 arrested, Fajardo said 26 of them were civilians, three were security guards, one appointed official of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and one member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who was collared in Nueva Ecija.

“The bulk of the confiscated firearms was in Region 3, which means that they are really aggressive in setting up checkpoints,” said Fajardo who had assumed the leadership of the Police Regional Office 3 but on a concurrent PNP spokesperson status.

Among those confiscated, she said, were 60 small firearms, light weapons, gun replicas and explosive materials.

The election period for the May 12 midterm elections started on Jan. 12 and until June 12 this year. 

On the first day, almost 1,500 checkpoints were set up across the country and PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said he already issued an instruction to make sure that the checkpoints would not be less than 1,000 a day.

“We want to make them feel the presence of policemen and the intensified election security measures,” Marbil said.

The Commission on Elections, meanwhile, earlier issued guidelines on the exemption from the nationwide gun ban. 

The gun ban exemption includes policemen and soldiers and other members of law enforcement agencies, but under the condition that they be in proper uniform and on official duty.  

In the conduct of checkpoint, motorists are reminded to slow down, dim their headlights, turn on cabin lights, and respond promptly when approached by police officers at checkpoints.

Fajardo called on the public to cooperate with authorities during checkpoint operations and assured the police's adherence to police operational procedures, and respect for citizens' rights.

In order to ensure transparency, she said at least one policeman will be using a body-worn camera while conducting checkpoint.