PNP: Over 300 firearms seized, 7 possible poll-related violence recorded ahead of May elections

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday that 383 firearms were confiscated in the ongoing gun ban ahead of the May 12 elections, which also led to the arrest of several individuals including uniformed personnel and government officials.

“Karamihan po diyan ay nakuha natin sa ating police operation, mayroon din po tayong nakuha sa checkpoint at other law enforcement operation po. Karamihan po diyan, ang pinakamaraming seizure po ay nasa NCRPO, nasa 108; sumunod ang Region 3 na nasa 85; at sumunod po ang Region 7, at Region 6 naman po ang pang-apat,” said PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo at a press briefing.

(Most of these were seized during police operations, we also confiscated some at checkpoints and other law enforcement operations. The majority of these confiscated items were logged in NCR with 108, followed by Region 3 with 85, and there were also seized firearms in Region 7 and in Region 6.)

The PNP added that most of the confiscated firearms were revolvers. Law enforcers also seized pistols, shotguns, riffles, as well as explosives.

The gun ban has also led to the arrest of 379 violators.

“Majority ng mga na-aresto po ay mga civilian, bagamat may mga nahuli rin po tayong miyembro ng uniformed service, meron din pong security guard, meron din po tayong mga appointed government officials,” said Fajardo.

(Majority of the individuals we arrested were civilians, but we also arrested some uniformed personnel, security guards, and even appointed government officials.)

Election-related incidents

Meanwhile, the police are looking into seven possible election-related incidents (ERI) in various parts of the country.

The PNP said there were four suspected ERIs in Region 6 which involved cases of two vehicular accidents, a case of malicious mischief, and an incident of alleged oral defamation.

Fajardo said in Region 1, a municipal councilor in Vigan, Ilocos Sur was shot in the head by motorcycle-riding suspects last January 25. A shooting incident was also recorded in Region 12 involving a supporter of a councilor aspirant in Maguindanao last January 18. Both victims died.

An incident of alleged malicious mischief was also logged in Region 2, the PNP spokesperson said.

“As a matter of procedure, dadaan po ito sa validation to determine whether or not these incidents may be classified as validated election-related incidents. So magaantay po tayo, within 10 days ay dapat ma-validate po ng concerned regional headquarters,” she said.

(As a matter of procedure, these will undergo validation to determine whether or not these incidents may be classified as validated election-related incidents. So we have to wait as the concerned regional headquarters should look into them within 10 days.)

The gun ban will remain in effect until June 11.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections earlier said there were over 1,000 election hot spots nationwide. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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