Año: 2,820 arrested so far for violating election gun ban

COMELEC CHECKPOINT Policemen from Marikina City conduct a checkpoint near Tumana Bridge, April 4, 2022. Comelec checkpoints are set up to implement the poll body’s gun ban and enforce stricter security during the election period. | INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 2,820 individuals have so far been arrested for violating the election gun ban, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reported.

“Mula January 9 hanggang April 25 ay may naitalang 2,692 gun ban violations at nakapag-aresto po tayo ng mga violators ng gun ban, umaabot sa 2,820,” he said during President Rodrigo Duterte’s address to the nation aired Wednesday.

(From January 9 to April 25, we logged 2,692 gun ban violations and arrested 2,820 gun ban violators.)

Año added that authorities also confiscated 11,437 rounds of ammunition, 1,033 deadly weapons, and 2,147 firearms.

Año meanwhile assured the public that the coming polls will be peaceful and safe.

“Sisiguraduhin po natin na magkakaroon tayo ng isang mapayapa, maayos, at ligtas ang ating mamamayan sa darating na eleksyon sa Mayo 9, 2022,” he said.

(We ensure that we will have a peaceful, organized, and safe election on May 9, 2022.)

The election gun ban is effective during the poll period or from January 9 to June 8.

/MUF