Election gun ban violators jump to 396

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday morning announced that the number of persons arrested for violating the election gun ban rose to a total of 396.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the 396 arrested as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, were mostly civilians.

Mayor said the 396 arrested are composed of 381 civilians, two police officers, three government officials, three members of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, six security guards, an employee of law enforcement agency and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit.

Aside from the violators arrested, Mayor said the PNP seized 254 firearms, 2,381 deadly weapons, 14 grenades, one other explosive, eight firearm replicas and 2,358 ammunition since the implementation of the Commission on Elections gun ban on January 10.

The PNP assured that it will continue to be watchful in its enforcement of the election gun ban.

“Police Director General Ricardo Marquez, assures that the PNP will remain vigilant in its law enforcement and security operations to ensure Safe and Fair Election,” Mayor said.

The gun ban period is set from January 10 to June 8 for the local and national May 2016 elections and implemented by PNP and other law enforcement agencies.