PNP: 1,388 arrested for violating election gun ban nationwide

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested 1,388 persons since the election gun ban started, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said on Friday.

“We have arrested 1,388 persons already. So higit isang libo na ang naaresto sa mga checkpoints,” Banac said in a media forum.

He said the police also have confiscated 21 light weapons, 47 replicas or toy guns, 74 hand grenades and 365 improvised explosive devices (IED) since the start of the election gun ban last January 13.

“Mayroong 21 light weapons, mga medyo mahaba konti pero we consider them as light weapons. Forty-seven replicas, yung mga laruan, toy guns. Seventy-four pieces of hand grenades. Improvised explosive devices, 364. At ito lahat ay nasabat sa mga checkpoints,” Banac said.

The police, Banac said, have also confiscated 9,037 ammunition and 9,939 deadly weapons.

“Ammunition 9,037 pieces. Imagine ang mga balang ito kung ito ay naiputok. Deadly weapons, mga patalim at mga kauri, 9,939,” Banac added.

The police have launched over 141,000 checkpoints nationwide to enforce the strict ban on bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons for the upcoming May 2019 elections.  /je