Over 3k firearms seized, 164 nabbed in Bicol for polls gun ban violation—PNP

LEGAZPI CITY — Gearing up for the final stretch of the election period, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said 3,082 firearms have been confiscated while 164 persons were arrested for illegal possession of guns.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, quoting a joint Commission on Elections (Comelec) and PNP report, said that 982 were considered as loose firearms while 2,100 firearms were voluntarily surrendered for safekeeping by gun owners.

Most of the arrest and seizure were done in checkpoints, serving of search warrants, buy-bust operations, “Oplan Bakal” and police patrol, Calubaquib said.

Aside from the assorted firearms, police operatives were able to confiscate 1,836 other deadly weapons, six firearm replica, 29 bladed/pointed weapons, seven grenades, 11 explosives or improvised explosive devices, 27 sumpak or improvised and homemade guns, and 1,756 ammunition.

The election gun ban campaign has been in full swing since January 13, the start of the election period this year, Calubaquib said on Thursday.

Persons nabbed were arrested at PNP-Comelec checkpoints set up in various areas in towns, cities, and villages across Bicol.

The Regional Election Monitoring Action Center is closely checking at least 82 Bicol areas considered as election hot spots in the provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon. These areas during the previous election have recorded incidence of intense political rivalries, the presence of private armed groups including sightings of New People’s Army rebels, and loose firearms. /je