INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines –As the barangay (village) elections approach, over 400 persons have been arrested for allegedly violating the Commission on Election’s gun ban rule, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said 438 persons, mostly civilians have been arrested in different parts of the country.
Of the total number of persons held, Mayor said 410 were civilians, five police officers, four military men, 16 security guards, and three government officials.
Meanwhile, 352 firearms and over 2000 ammunition have been confiscated, along with 64 grenades, 15 firearms replica, and 140 bladed weapons.
The village polls will be held on October 28.
Police Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, said Friday that as of the latest data reaching the national headquarters, 18 election-related crime incidents have been recorded in different parts of the country—17 of which were shooting incidents, while the other one was a stabbing incident.