PNP nets 2,313 Comelec gun ban violators, so far

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far arrested 2,313 people for violating the nationwide election gun ban.

In its report on Sunday, the PNP said that 2,249 of the violators were civilians, forty were security guards, 14 were police officers, and ten were military personnel.

Confiscated from the violators in 2,209 police operations were 1,785 firearms, 10,157 pieces of ammunition, and 826 deadly weapons.

According to the PNP, most of the violators were reported in the National Capital Region with 854, followed by Calabarzon with 250, and Central Visayas with 241.

Under Resolution No. 10728, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibits the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or deadly weapons outside of the residence and in all public places from January 9 until June 8.

Exempted from the ban are law enforcers, but they should have authorization from the Comelec and wear agency-prescribed uniform while on official duty during the election period.

On Wednesday, Comelec recalibrated the guidelines for gun ban exemptions ahead of elections on May 9.

In Comelec’s en banc meeting, chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said that the amendments to Resolution No. 10728 with the aim of producing “a more efficient system of issuing certificates of authority,” include the “decentralization of the granting of exemption to the Regional Directors and Election Officers and the grant of automatic exemption to justices, judges, and prosecutors, including the Ombudsman.” —LBG, GMA News