177 arrested for violating Eleksyon 2022 gun ban — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested a total of 177 people for violating the gun ban in connection with the May 2022 elections as of Tuesday.

Based on the PNP data, the 15 new violators were all civilians.

Confiscated from these violators were 12 firearms, 32 ammunition, two deadly weapons, and three other items, the PNP said.

The new violators were reported from Benguet, Batangas, Cavite, Cotabato City, Negros Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani, Davao del Sur, Ilocos Norte, Manila, Pasay, Mandaluyong, and Parañaque.

A total of 31,190 checkpoint operations 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 appealed to the public to follow the resolution of the Comelec on guns and deadly weapons for the election period.

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

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. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News