19 arrested for violating BARMM election gun ban

Authorities have arrested 19 individuals for violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban ahead of the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

From July 16 to Aug. 22, three people were arrested and one was killed in police operations in Lanao del Sur.

Meanwhile, six were arrested in Maguindanao del Norte, eight in Maguindanao del Sur and two in Isabela City, Basilan.

The PNP also reported the confiscation of 12 small arms, nine light weapons, and six explosives and other ordnance.

The gun ban across BARMM took effect on July 16, when the election period for the region's first parliamentary elections began.

The election period will run until Sept. 29, while the campaign period runs from July 30 to Sept. 12. The BARMM elections will be held on Sept. 14.

The PNP also reported one validated election-related incident (ERI) in Maguindanao del Norte.

Comelec defines ERIs as various forms of unlawful activities or disturbances that can affect the peaceful conduct of elections.

Earlier this week, the PNP classified the reported ambush on the convoy of BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua as a "suspected election-related incident."

Macacua and his entourage escaped unharmed after armed assailants ambushed their five-vehicle convoy while they were traveling along the General Santos-Cotabato National Highway.

He was traveling from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, where he had attended the proclamation rally of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia earlier directed the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to "immediately determine the perpetrators and bring them to justice." — MCG, GMA News