Over 3,000 arrested in poll-related police operations

MANILA, Philippines — More than 3,100 persons have been nabbed in different police operations in connection with the coming midterm elections.

Philippine National Police (PNP) records showed that over 350,663 operations were conducted in relation to the election period that started on Jan. 13. 

Most of these operations were PNP-Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints that tallied at 325,157 operations until midnight yesterday.

Majority of the arrested persons were civilians, while there were also 32 policemen and 44 government or elected officials arrested. 

The operations led to the confiscation of 2,603 firearms and the seizure of 22,930 other deadly weapons. 

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said they expect the current peaceful situation in the country to continue until the May elections. 

“Our current peace and order situation is very good. We hope this will continue until May 13. But we are ready to respond,” he said in Filipino at a press brieifing.

He noted that they have tallied less election-related incidents compared to previous elections but did not provide details. 

Banac reminded gun owners, even those with valid licenses, not to carry guns outside their homes unless they get proper exemptions from the Comelec.

He added that renewal or application for licenses will be on hold until after the election. 

All violators of the gun ban face revocation of their licenses, aside from criminal charges.