Up to 160 election gun ban violations have been recorded in Davao region as of February 8, 2025, the Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) said.

For these 160 cases, 47 individuals were arrested.

PRO-11 Director, Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, reiterated that only those who have permits from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) are exempted from the gun ban.

Rosete emphasized this after a mayor in the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) and his three bodyguards were arrested with firearms and ammunition at a checkpoint in Toril, Davao City evening on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

The four were already released after the 18-hour reglementary period lapsed.

“They were released because the policemen, the investigators were not able to secure all the necessary requirements for the inquest but does not mean na hindi na siya pafile-lan ng kaso. So, ‘yung kaso naman niya, we checked that, it is still bailable naman even if we are going to file it,” Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director, Col. Hansel Marantan, said.

Instead of four, only the mayor and one of his bodyguards will be charged through regular filing.

“So, we have a better case this time at kayang i-sustain,” Marantan added.

Rosete said PRO-11 will intensify its campaign against loose firearms and wanted persons in the region as election nears.

“Ito ay kailangang ipatupad ng mabuti kaya kami po ay nakikiusap ulit sa lahat na tayoy sumunod sa batas paiigtingin namin ang kampyana laban sa loose firearms na yan at most wanted persons para maensure para sa smooth orderly and peaceful elections,” Rosete said.

(With reports from Rgil Relator, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)