4,729 persons arrested for violating gun ban — PNP

Philippine National Police Chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde oversees the media presentation in Camp Olivas, Pampanga of some 600 firearms seized in Central Luzon while the nationwide gun ban imposed by Commission on Elections is in effect. INQUIRER file photo / Carmela Reyes-Estrope

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 4,729 people were arrested for violating the gun ban since the start of the election period on January 13, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

PNP data revealed that of those arrested, 4,449 persons are civilians, 79 are security guards, 75 are government or elected officials, and 31 are police officers, 17 are from the military, and 12 are from other law enforcement agencies.

The data also showed that many of the arrests were conducted during patrol response reaching about 2,634; search warrants at 977; Oplan Bakal/Sita/Galugad at 723; checkpoints at 331; and execution of arrest warrants at 64.

The total number of firearms confiscated, recovered, or surrendered amounted to 3,942, most of which were small arms at 2,989. Meanwhile, 87 were light arms and the rest are improvised or homemade firearms, the PNP said.

A total of 35,967 other deadly weapons were also seized including gun replicas, bladed or pointed weapons, grenade, explosives, and ammunition, PNP data also showed.

Transporting or carrying firearms, weapons, and ammunition is prohibited from January 13 to June 12, 2019, after the Commission on Elections declared a gun ban.

Any permit to carry weapons outside one’s residence or place of business, unless covered by the Certificate of Authority (CA), will be ineffective during the election period.

Violators will be penalized under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, the Comelec said. /jpv