Arrested election gun ban violators now at 2,132 – PNP

MIDNIGHT CHECK A police checkpoint is put up in front of the Bulacan provincial capitol along MacArthur Highway in Malolos City to enforce the May 2022 election gun ban that is in effect until June 8, 2022. INQUIRER file photo / CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE

MANILA, Philippines — The total number of violators arrested during the nationwide election gun ban reached 2,132 on Sunday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

The gun ban, which started on Jan. 9, will last until June 8, 2022 as stated by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10728.

According to the PNP’s data, the violators include 2,051 civilians, 14 police officers, nine military personnel, 38 security officers and 20 who are uncategorized.

A total of 1,543 firearms, meanwhile, were confiscated, along with 9,300 rounds of ammunition, and 753 deadly weapons.

In terms of the number of incidents, Metro Manila led with the most number of gun ban violations at 721, followed by Central Visayas with 232, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) with 219, Central Luzon with 163, and Western Visayas with 121 total incidents.

Metro Manila also continues to lead with the most number of persons arrested for gun ban violation at 772, followed by Calabarzon with 231, Central Visayas with 226, Central Luzon with 219, and Western Visayas with 119.

During the nationwide gun ban, all permits to carry firearms outside residences were suspended except for regular members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies. To be permitted to carry firearms during the ban, law enforcers are required to be in full uniform.

Violators of the gun ban face a jail time of from one year up to six years, a disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.

/MUF