At least 57 persons were arrested in Western Visayas for violation of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) gun ban.

Police Regional Office 6 arrested a total of 57 violators from January 12, 2025 to February 20, 2025.

At least 17 were arrested in the Province of Negros Occidental, 11 in the Province of Iloilo, and nine in the Province of Capiz. Seven were arrested in Bacolod City, four in Iloilo City, three each in the Province of Aklan and Province of Guimaras, one in the Province of Antique, and two were nabbed by personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 6.

Meanwhile, a peace covenant was signed in Iloilo City spearheaded by the Iloilo City Police Office. A caravan and unity walk preceded the peace covenant signing which seeks peaceful, honest, and fair midterm elections in May 2025.  

“This covenant we have just signed today is more than just a document. It is a pledge of honor. A solemn vow that we will conduct ourselves in integrity, fairness and respect to the rule of law,” Colonel Kim Legada, director of the Iloilo City Police Office, said.

During the activity, COMELEC reminded aspirants to avoid vote buying, adhere to campaign rules and voting procedure, and submit statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) after the election diligently.

“May you seal it with a vow to genuinely serve the people and please remember the most vulnerable groups in our community so that they will not be forced to surrender their right of suffrage in exchange of any promise,” according to Atty. Pinky Jevini Tentativa, COMELEC Iloilo City election officer.

The Roman Catholic Church has also stood its ground against vote buying.

“I declare war against vote buying and selling founded on political dynasties. Let this be our concrete contribution to safe elections,” Msgr. Meliton Oso, representative of the Archdiocese of Jaro, said.

According to COMELEC, aspirants are accountable, as well as their supporters, for violations to campaign rules, or activities that would compromise stability and integrity of the elections.

COMELEC has recognized the commitment of 34 of 36 aspirants in Iloilo City who graced the peace covenant signing on Thursday, February 20, 2025.