PNP nets 3,537 Comelec gun ban violators

A total of 3,537 people have been arrested for violating the election gun ban, Super Radyo dzBB’s Luisito Santos reported on Thursday.

Citing information from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the report said that 3,401 of the violators were civilians, 61 were security guards, 27 were police officers, and 22 were military personnel.

Confiscated from the violators in more than 3,000 police operations were 2,727 firearms.

PNP said most of the violators were reported in the National Capital Region with 1,273, followed by Calabarzon with 384, Central Visayas with 366, Central Luzon with 318, and Western Visayas with 211.

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.

The Comelec in April announced that gun ban exemptions have been granted to qualified senior government officials, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, and election officers. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News