PNP: 408 gun ban violators nabbed, so far
![PNP readies more checkpoints for polls](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2022/04/News275806.jpg)
(INQUIRER file photo / NINO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — Data released Wednesday afternoon by the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed that as of January 27, 2025, a total of 408 individuals have so far violated the gun ban for the 2025 midterm elections.
The following were caught skirting the firearms ban:
- 386 civilians
- 11 security guards
- four Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel
- three foreign nationals>
- two personnel from other law enforcement agencies
- one appointed government official in the Bangsamoro Administrative Region in Muslim Mindanao
- one PNP personnel in Cagayan Valley
Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas had the most apprehensions with 112, 87, and 43, respectively, while Eastern Visayas, the Caraga, Bicol, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regions had the least with seven each, four and two, respectively.
Meanwhile, a total of 416 firearms were confiscated by the police.
According to the PNP’s data, 241 firearms were seized in police response operations, 94 were in buy-bust operations, 64 in checkpoint operations, and 17 in other lawful arrests.
Article continues after this advertisementFurther, the police force reported a total of 105,510 Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints set up across the country.
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, the number of reported election-related incidents remained at seven as of Jan. 27 – four in Western Visayas and one each in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Soccsksargen.
The gun ban started at the beginning of the official election period on Jan. 12, in a bid to ensure peace and order and lessen gun-related violence in light of the midterm polls this May.