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Comelec: 6 election gun ban violators arrested


A total of six persons have been arrested for violating the election gun ban so far, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday.

“Nakakaanim na po. Meron po sa Malasiqui, [Pangasinan]; Iloilo; sa Cainta, Rizal. Meron din po sa may bandang Buluan sa Maguindanao,” Comelec chairperson George Garcia told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(Six people have been arrested. These were reported in Malasiqui [Pangasinan]; Iloilo; Cainta, Rizal. There was an arrest also made in Buluan, Maguindanao.)

“Yung mga argumentong hindi nila alam, paulit-ulit po tayo, araw-araw tayong nananawagan. At the same time, sinasabi natin, lahat ng mga lisensya nila, permit to carry [firearms], suspended pagdating ng Enero 12,” he added.

(On their arguments that they don't know about the gun ban, we have been advising this every day, again and again. At the same time, we are saying that all their licenses, permit to carry [firearms] will be suspended starting January 12.)

The gun ban is effective starting January 12 to June 11 in a bid to lessen election-related violence, based on Comelec Resolution No. 11067.

90% ready

Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec is 90% ready for the 2025 midterm elections scheduled in May.

“Ongoing po 'yung printing ng balota natin (The printing of our ballot is ongoing),” he said.

“Sa susunod na buwan po, sa unang linggo ng Pebrero ay magsisimula na tayo sa ating training ng mga guro na maglilingkod sa araw ng eleksiyon. Kasama na rin po 'yung PNP personnel na contingency kung sakaling hindi makapaglingkod ang mga guro na na-train na natin sa araw ng halalan,” he added.

(Next month, in the first week of February, we will begin our training of teachers who will serve on election day. Also to be included are PNP [Philippine National Police] personnel for contingency in case the teachers we have trained could not go on duty on election day.)

The election period started on January 12, with Comelec checkpoints set up.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is set from February 11 to March 10, 2025.

READ: Comelec releases schedule of activities for 2025 midterm, BARMM polls

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

The election day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. —KG, GMA Integrated News