NCRPO: Gun ban in effect until June 12

Although the elections are over and the majority of winners have already been proclaimed, the gun ban remains in effect in Metro Manila and the rest of the country, the police reminded the public on Thursday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina said that the nationwide gun ban, which was implemented starting last Jan. 13, will remain in effect until the end of the election period on June 12.

According to Espina, the NCRPO Joint Security Coordinating Center will continue to monitor and implement the gun ban under Republic Act 8294, or the law penalizing illegal possession of firearms, and Batas Pambansa 881, or the Omnibus Election Code.

As of Thursday, the NCRPO through its five police districts has conducted 8,222 checkpoints resulting in the seizure of 333 firearms, 24 explosives and 325 bladed weapons. It has also arrested 672 people for violating the gun ban.

Espina cited these accomplishments to explain what he described as the “success of the Secure and Fair Election (SAFE)” campaign in Metro Manila.

“[The] NCRPO is motivated even more to exert efforts in preserving and maintaining peace and order in the Metro,” he said.