Election gun ban starts January 12 -PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded the public on Monday that a nationwide gun ban would take effect on Sunday, January 12, coinciding with the start of the election period.

“Sa darating na Linggo, January 12, ay start na po ng election period po natin. So, start na rin po yan ng nationwide gun ban po natin. So yun po ang paalala natin sa ating mga kababayan,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(This coming Sunday, January 12, marks the start of our election period and nationwide gun ban. We remind everyone to comply.)

The gun ban, part of the security measures for the 2025 national and local elections, will remain in effect until June 11, 2025.

According to Fajardo, the PNP has been preparing for the elections since June 2024. 

By the fourth quarter of 2024, the police had identified three active private armed groups (PAGs) in Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as five potential PAGs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

As of December 31, 2024, the PNP created a preliminary list of election areas of concern, which will undergo further assessment. 

Key factors in identifying these areas include the presence of PAGs, intense political rivalries, and a history of election-related violence. — DVM, GMA Integrated News