Arrested election gun ban violators now at 85 — PNP

A total of 85 individuals have been arrested so far for allegedly violating the election gun ban, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the arrested persons include:

• three security guards in Cagayan Valley
• one Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel in Central Luzon
• one AFP personnel in Bicol
• one Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) personnel in Zamboanga Peninsula
• a government employee in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

The rest of the nabbed election gun ban violators were civilians, according to the PNP.

Most of the arrested persons were reported in Central Luzon with 26, followed by Metro Manila with 21, and the Ilocos Region with nine.

A total of 86 firearms were seized including 31 revolvers, 12 caliber 45, 12 caliber 9mm, one rifle, and 27 others.

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

The election period also 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. 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.

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. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News