PNP: Over 1,000 persons arrested in ‘focused’ police ops for May polls

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far arrested over a thousand individuals during the first month of "focused police operations" for the May 2019 midterm elections, which included law enforcers and elected officials.

According to data released by the PNP Public Information Office on Friday, police have arrested at least 1,153 persons in various types operations from January 13, 2019 to February 7, 2019.

The arrested persons were classified as follows:

• 1087 civilians
• 25 security guards
• 14 PNP personnel
• 14 government /elected officials
• 7 members of "threat groups"
• 3 other law enforcement agency personnel
• 2  members of "private armed groups"
• 1  Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel

The PNP specified that 629 were arrested through "police patrol response;" 186 through search warrants; 135 through checkpoint operations; and, 13 through warrants of arrest.

Another 54 were arrested through various police operation plans (Oplan) such as Bakal, Sita, and Galugad, among others.

Since the gun ban took effect on January 13, police have seized up to 7,332 deadly weapons while at least 757 small and light firearms were confiscated, recovered and surrendered.

Deadly weapons include 362 improvised explosive devices (IEDs)/other explosives; 358 bladed/pointed weapons and 59 grenades. —Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News