Number of gun ban violators rises to nearly 2,000 – PNP

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— The number of persons arrested for defying the Commission on Elections’ nationwide gun-ban rule has reached to almost 2,000, a Philippine National Police official said Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said police operations in compliance with Comelec Resolution 9561-A and Republic Act 8292 have resulted in the arrest of 1,980 persons, mostly civilians, since the rule was imposed early this year.

Among the total number of violators, 1,815 were civilians, 99 security guards, 26 government officials, 23 police officers, and 13 army men.

Moreover, Cerbo said 1,944 assorted firearms were seized, along with over 17,000 bullets.

In a recent police operation, Cerbo said 32-year-old farmer Richard Balbalra was arrested in Camarines Norte last Tuesday after he allegedly pointed a gun at a 65-year-old man.

Cerbo said Balbalra was caught with a caliber .38 revolver loaded with six live bullets during the latter’s arrest.

He is now detained at Labo municipal police station, Cerbo said.