Election gun ban, a month after in WV: 60 arrested

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A month after the start of the enforcement of the election gun ban, the police reported that a total of 60 persons in Western Visayas were already arrested for violations of such law.

As of February 10, the Police Regional Office-Region 6 reported that the police forces in the region also confiscated a total of 89 banned items: 44 deadly weapons, 40 firearms, three replica guns, and two other kinds of weapon.

Iloilo Province topped the most number of arrests with 20, Aklan is second with 16; Antique (12); and Capiz and Iloilo City (six each).

Senior Superintendent Roderick Augustus Alba, Iloilo Police provincial director, said the high number of arrests should not be misconstrued that loose firearms abound in the province.

“There is no comparison with other areas of Western Visayas because Iloilo Province is bigger in area. We have 42 towns and one component city,” he said.

Alba said the number of arrests indicated that the police campaign and enforcement of the election gun ban, also known in the region as Oplan Sita, have been carried out well.

Throughout the election period, from January 10 to June 8, the gun ban shall be enforced by prohibiting the carrying of firearms and deadly weapons outside of residence or business and public places, an inside private vehicles or public conveyances, unless authorized by the Comelec.

It is also prohibited to engage the services of security personnel and to transport firearms and explosives, including spare parts and components, unless authorized by the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel.

The penalties include imprisonment from one to six years; permanent disqualification from public office and loss of right to vote; deportation (in the case of foreigners), but only after a prison term is served; and cancellation of and/or perpetual disqualification to secure license or permit.  (FREEMAN)