PNP to implement gun ban on January 10

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to implement a gun ban on January 10 in time for the start of the election period.

According to a report from ABS-CBN News, all permits to carry will be suspended and the PNP will seize illegal firearms.

The PNP will also implement checkpoints in critical areas as election day nears.

PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez said that the police force will demonstrate the same professionalism and dedication when it secured the visit of Pope Francis and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting last year.

"My fellow officers and personnel of the PNP, let us outdo ourselves in 2016, and once again prove to the nation that we are indeed never outfought. This early, we face the challenge of ensuring peace and order in the forthcoming May national and local elections," Marquez said.

Marquez noted that it is a challenge for the PNP to surpass its achievements during the 2010 and 2013 security operations.

The PNP will focus on private armed groups who may violate the election gun ban.

Six provinces - Pangasinan, Masbate, Negros Oriental, Western Samar, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur - have been identified as possible hotspots in the 2016 national elections.