At least 250 violators were apprehended in the first week of the nationwide implementation of gun ban for the midterm elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The same election security resulted in the confiscation of 255 firearms.
Based on the PNP data, Metro Manila and Central Luzon have the most number of arrested violators with 65 each, followed by Central Visayas with 31.
Among those arrested were two foreign nationals, a soldier and two members of other law enforcement agencies. Most of those collared were civilians.
Also arrested were eight security guards in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Of the 255 firearms confiscated, 115 were revolvers, 71 were pistols, six were shotguns and six were explosive materials. The region with the most firearms seized was the NCR with 67 guns confiscated and was followed by 64 guns seized from Central Luzon and 31 from Central Visayas.
More than a thousand checkpoints on the first day of the election period on Jan. 12, with the PNP leadership saying at least 1,000 checkpoints must be in place everyday.
Following the arrest of violators and confiscation of firearms, police reminded the public anew of the existing gun ban, including the suspension of the permit to carry firearms outside residence.
The gun ban will be in effect until June 11.