PNP nabs 144 gun ban violators week after election period began

The number of arrested election gun ban violators has risen to 144 from the 76 reported on January 14, following the official start of the 2022 election period on January 9, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.

"Overall, 126 operations conducted, 144 [persons] arrested and 121 firearms already confiscated," PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said on Super Radyo dzBB.

Based on a Commission on Election (Comelec) resolution, the ban covers the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or deadly weapons outside residence and in all public places until June 8.

Since January 9, the PNP has set up 18,978 checkpoints nationwide to enforce  the Comelec gun ban.

Gun ban violators may face detention of not less than one year but not more than six years and will not be subject to probation, the PNP said.

Also, violators may face disqualification to hold public office, deprivation of the right of suffrage and cancellation or perpetual disqualification to secure gun license, the PNP added.  —LBG, GMA News