Police enforce gun ban in Maguindanao after recent deadly attacks

Police teams have been visibly present since Wednesday at key locations in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte following recent deadly gun attacks.

Brigadier General Romeo Juan Macapaz, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, stated that the Army's 6th Infantry Division is assisting with enforcing the gun ban to prevent further incidents.

The nationwide restriction on unauthorized firearm possession outside residences began on January 12 and aims to ensure peaceful elections in May 2025.

Local government units are cooperating with police efforts to implement the gun ban, particularly in areas like Barangay Awang near Cotabato Airport and Barangay Tamontaka at the border of Cotabato City.

Since January 12, ten individuals were killed in Maguindanao del Sur and five in Maguindanao del Norte; last week, police seized an unlicensed revolver from a motorcycle rider and charged him with illegal possession and violation of the gun ban.