836 election gun ban violators arrested

Police officers inspect a vehicle at a Comelec checkpoint along the Quintos bridge in Downtown Dagupan City at the start of the election gun ban on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by WILLIE LOMIBAO / Inquirer Northern Luzon)

MANILA, Phillippines — Police checkpoints nationwide have resulted in the arrest of 836 election gun ban violators, including police officers and military personnel, in one month since they were set up to ensure peaceful and orderly polls in May.

As of Sunday, the Philippine National Police reported the arrest of 836 persons, including nine police personnel and five military men, in 715 checkpoint operations since Jan. 9.

The operations resulted in the confiscation of 644 firearms, 290 deadly weapons including 54 explosives and 4,000 pieces of assorted ammunition.

The National Capital Region Police Office arrested the most number of gun ban violators at 262 followed by the Central Visayas and Central Luzon police with 109 persons each.

The Calabarzon police netted 81 election gun ban violators at its checkpoints while the Western Visayas police arrested 49 persons for violation of the Commission on Elections gun prohibition.

—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE

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