Arrested election gun ban violators reach over 1,000 —PNP

A total of 1,023 persons have been nabbed for violating the election gun ban as of February 18, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday.

Based on PNP’s update, most of the arrested violators were reported in Metro Manila with 306, followed by Central Luzon with 162, and Central Visayas with 138.

Among the nabbed suspects were: 

• five PNP personnel
• seven Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel
• five personnel from other law enforcement agencies
• two elected government officials
• two appointed government officials
• one CAFGU Active Auxiliary
• four foreign nationals 
• two children in conflict with the law
• 22 security guards 
• 973 civilians

A total of 1,019 firearms were seized from them including 403 revolvers, 306 pistols, 41 gun replicas, 26 explosives, 26 Class A guns, 10 rifles, eight shotguns, three Class B guns, and 196 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.

Meanwhile, the PNP reported one validated election-related incident of violence in Western Visayas.

There were also two suspected election-related incidents of violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. These incidents still need to undergo validation.

Thirteen incidents of violence—previously reported as suspected election-related—have been confirmed to be not related to the May 2025 polls, according to the PNP.

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. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News

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