PNP confiscates 1,612 guns, arrests 1,580 under election gun ban

The Philippine National Police has confiscated over 1,612 firearms and arrested 1,580 individuals, including civilians and police officers, under the election gun ban as of March 7.

Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, stated that law enforcement agencies continue to enforce the gun ban ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

According to a report from the National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC), there are now 24 suspected election-related incidents with 11 validated, nine involving violent acts such as shootings and stabbings.

The PNP is also monitoring potential areas of concern for election-related violence, with some orange category areas being downgraded to yellow based on recent assessments.

Fajardo noted that the task force released an initial list of recommended election areas of concern last week, which will undergo validation by the Commission on Elections.