PNP seizes 416 firearms, arrests 408 for election gun ban

As of January 28, 2025, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) has seized 101 firearms and arrested 103 individuals for violating the nationwide gun ban.

Of the 101 seized firearms in Central Luzon, 38 were confiscated at checkpoints, 21 were recovered through police responses, 39 were seized in buy-bust operations, and three from other law enforcement actions.

Among those arrested in Central Luzon, 98 were civilians, four were security guards, and one was a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Nationwide, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has apprehended 408 individuals for violating the gun ban for the 2025 midterm elections as of January 29, 2025.

Most of those arrested nationwide were civilians, with specific numbers including four AFP personnel, two personnel of other law enforcement agencies, eight security guards, one appointed government official, and three foreign nationals.

A total of 416 firearms were seized nationwide, including revolvers, pistols, explosives, shotguns, rifles, an M15 A2 rifle, and others.

The PNP has established 105,510 Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints nationwide to enforce the gun ban, which is effective from January 12 to June 11, 2025.

Metro Manila reported the highest number of arrests with 112, followed by Central Luzon with 87, and Central Visayas with 43.