MANILA, Philippines — At least 1,289 violators of the gun ban protocol in relation to the 2022 national elections have been arrested since January 9, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
Numbers shared by PNP’s Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) showed that the arrests stemmed from 1,164 gun ban apprehension incidents across the country. Of the 1,289, PNP noted that 10 are PNP personnel and eight are from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The rest are mostly civilians, at 1,247; security personnel are at 13.
PNP-PIO also noted that 980 firearms were confiscated, of which 799 were considered small firearms like pistols and handguns, while 37 were light weapons such as rifles and submachine guns.
There were also 67 parts of various firearms and 52 replicas seized by police. Also, 25 other firearms were not yet identified by authorities.
Meanwhile, 406 bladed weapons were also seized, along with 60 explosive devices. In terms of ammunition, PNP-PIO said they were able to recover 5,871.
Most of the incidents were recorded inside the National Capital Region (391), followed by Calabarzon (132), Central Visayas (122), Zamboanga Peninsula (93), and Western Visayas (78).
The gun ban in preparation for the campaign period for the 2022 polls started last January 9, in accordance with Resolution No. 10728 from the Commission on Elections (Comelec). It would end only a month after the elections, on June 8.
With Comelec’s resolution, all permits to carry firearms outside of residence have been suspended. Similarly, permits to transport firearms, ammunition, explosives, public firearms display and exhibits, as well as employment of security personnel for VIPs are also suspended.
READ: PNP starts imposition of gun ban nationwide