PNP: Election gun ban violators increase

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said the number of election gun ban violators increased prior to the campaign period which will start on February 9.

From 609 election gun ban violators reported on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the number of violators arrested reached 746 since the implementation of firearms ban on January 10.

READ: 600 suspected gun ban violators nabbed

Mayor said 711 of the arrested for carrying firearms were civilians, five are police officers, 11 are government officials, 12 are security guards, five are employees of a law enforcement agency, and two are members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit.

The PNP seized 592 firearms, 4,609 deadly weapons, 25 grenades, seven other explosives, 21 firearm replicas, 212 bladed/pointed weapons and 4,344 ammunition during the implementation of gun ban.

The Commission on Elections spearheaded the 151-day gun ban in line with the country’s May 9 polls. It is being implemented by the PNP and other law enforcement agencies until June 8.

The gun ban is being implemented by the PNP and other law enforcement agencies in line with the country's national and local elections on May 9. It started on January 10 and will last until June 8.