PNP records 2,874 gun ban violators

The Philippine National Police announced on Wednesday that they have arrested a total of 2,874 violators of the gun ban in the current election period.

The Commission on Elections Resolution 9561-A and Republic Act 8292, effective January 13 to June 12, aims to minimize election-related violence. The gun ban suspends permits to carry firearms outside residences except for law enforcers in uniform and on duty are allowed to carry firearms.

The violators arrested are 2,650 civilians, 34 government officials, 128 security guards, 36 from the PNP, 18 from the Armed Forces, three from Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, one from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and three from the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit.

The PNP has also confiscated 2,708 firearms, 143 airguns and firearm replicas, 887 bladed weapons, 168 grenades, 489 other explosives and 23,441 rounds of ammunition.

To ensure Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE 2013), PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima, also the vice chairman of the National Task Force SAFE, ordered PNP units to intensify checkpoint and gun check operations.