MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday it had arrested a total of 6,284 violators of the gun ban and confiscated 5,242 firearms during the election period.
Data from the PNP covers the start of the election period from January 13 to June 9 or three days before the end of the gun ban on Wednesday, June 12.
A total of 49,859 other deadly weapons were also confiscated during the period, according to the PNP.
The arrested persons and confiscated weapons were the result of buy-bust and checkpoint operations, the implementation of search and arrest warrants, and other police operations.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) had arrested most of the violators, netting 1,298 persons during the time frame. This is almost double the number of arrests made by the Calabarzon Police, which had captured 687 violators.
The Central Visayas Police followed with (657 arrested violators), then Central Luzon Police (619), and the Western Visayas Police (520).
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa publiko sa kooperasyon na ipinakita sa ating mga awtoridad (We thank the public for cooperating with the authorities),” PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
He said that with the lifting of the election gun ban, gun owners will now be able to bring firearms outside the home if their permit to carry firearms outside of the residence is still valid. (Editor: Eden Estopace)