1,267 arrested for election gun ban violations, one candidate shot

As of Monday, February 24, 1,267 individuals have been arrested for violating the election gun ban across the Philippines.

Most arrests occurred in Metro Manila with 358 cases, followed by Central Luzon and Central Visayas with 183 and 176 respectively; Western Visayas recorded 57 violations from January 12 to February 23.

The seized firearms include 495 revolvers, 370 pistols, and other types of weapons, totaling 1,196; seven were from Ilocos Norte, three from Ilocos Sur, four from La Union, thirteen from Pangasinan in the region, and fifty-six from Western Visayas.

One validated election-related incident of violence was reported in Western Visayas, while two suspected incidents were reported in Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccsksargen.

On Monday morning, Datu Piang Vice Mayor Datu Omar Samama, a candidate for the May 2025 elections, was injured after being shot; the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region's Ministry of the Interior and Local Government condemned the attack.