2,973 arrested nationwide for election gun ban violations

A total of 2,973 individuals have been arrested nationwide for violating the election gun ban, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as of Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Of those apprehended, 2,890 are civilians, 49 are security guards, and 34 are law enforcers (17 police officers and 17 military personnel).

PNP operations have resulted in the confiscation of 2,264 firearms, 11,985 rounds of ammunition, and 1,086 deadly weapons nationwide.

The National Capital Region has the highest number of arrests with 1,114 violators, followed by Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Central Luzon, and Western Visayas.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibits the carrying of firearms or deadly weapons outside residences and in public places from January 9 to June 8, with specific exemptions for authorized law enforcers.

Violators face imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office, loss of suffrage rights, and perpetual disqualification from obtaining a gun license.