PNP: Number of arrested Eleksyon 2022 gun ban violators now at 76

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested a total of 76 for violating the gun ban in connection with this year's election period as of Friday.

Based on the PNP data, the 12 additional violators were all civilians.

Confiscated from these violators were 12 firearms, 148 ammunition, and one deadly weapon, according to the PNP.

The new violators were reported from Sorsogon, Davao de Oro, La Union, Bulacan, Lanao del Sur, Abra, Negros Occidental, Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, and Taguig.

A total of 18,978 checkpoints have been conducted since the implementation of the gun ban on January 9.

The Commission on Election (Comelec) has issued Resolution No. 10728 that prohibits the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or deadly weapons outside residence and in all public places until June 8.

Law enforcers are exempted from the gun ban as long as they have authorization from the Comelec and wear agency-prescribed uniform while on official duty during the election period.

The PNP earlier appealed to the public to follow the resolution of the Comelec on guns and deadly weapons for the election period.

Violators may face imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation, the PNP said.

The guilty party may also face disqualification to hold public office, deprivation of the right of suffrage and cancellation or perpetual disqualification to secure gun license, it added. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News