Day One of election gun ban: 4 arrested

MANILA, Philippines —  Four people were arrested on the first day yesterday of the gun ban implemented by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the May 12 midterm elections, according to the initial record of the Philippine National Police.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the arrests were recorded at checkpoints established in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Western Visayas and Central Luzon.

Marbil added that the PNP would revoke the licenses of those arrested for election gun ban violation.

“We will revoke your license and you will no longer be able to carry a gun for life,” he said.

Given the effectivity of the election period and the gun ban at midnight yesterday, the PNP, upon the approval of the Comelec, had already set up over 1,400 checkpoints nationwide, according to the PNP chief.

At the Comelec Command Center, incidents of gun ban violations in Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Iloilo and Cainta, Rizal were reported.

“There really are some stubborn people. Knowing that there are checkpoints, they still carried guns. The Comelec is really being tested,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said yesterday.

Garcia added that those arrested for violating the gun ban face election offense charges with the penalty of one to six years of imprisonment, aside from violation of firearms law.

He stressed that even security details of government officials need to secure exemption from the Comelec.

“If the security details do not have relevant exemptions, that government official will be held responsible,” he said.

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said they have issued 1,131 certificates of exemptions to individual gun owners and security agencies, so far.

Ferolino added that those qualified may still apply for gun ban exemption online until two weeks before the end of the election period in June.

At the ceremonial launch of Comelec checkpoints yesterday, Garcia assured the public that gun ban would be enforced with transparency and impartiality.

He further assured law enforcers that the Comelec would be behind them as long as they are rightfully enforcing their tasks.

The poll chief expressed confidence that the people are already mature enough to understand that the enforcement of the ban could cause inconvenience.

He stressed, however, that setting up checkpoints is necessary to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the coming elections.

“This is part of the process. What is important is that our countrymen are not afraid or they are not being intimidated by anyone,” Garcia pointed out.

Marbil reminded police manning checkpoints to be fair and apolitical in the implementation of the gun ban.

He also ordered them to wear body cameras and bulletproof vests.

14 nabbed in Central Luzon

Fourteen people were arrested while 12 firearms, 5.14 grams of shabu and two grams of marijuana, were confiscated during the launch of the simultaneous implementation of the Comelec gun ban checkpoint operations conducted in Central Luzon yesterday.

Comelec Central Luzon spokesman and assistant regional director Elmo Duque said seven gun ban violators were arrested and seven firearms were confiscated in Nueva Ecija, five persons and three guns in Pampanga, and two individuals and two guns in Zambales.

Duque added that 2.51 grams of shabu and two grams of marijuana were confiscated in the Comelec gun ban in Pampanga, 2.23 grams of shabu in Zambales and 0.40 grams of shabu in Nueva Ecija.

The arrested individuals are facing charges for violations of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Western Visayas’ 1st violator

In Western Visayas, a 41-year-old businessman became the region’s first gun ban violator as the election period started yesterday.

Alias “Ryan,” a resident of Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City, however, was not arrested in the checkpoint operation.

Instead, his arrest was only incidental after he figured in a traffic incident in Barangay Seminario, also in Jaro.

Police reports said Ryan was driving a Toyota Hilux pickup when it plowed into a row of bibingka kiosks around 1:10 a.m. yesterday.

Members of Iloilo City Police Station 9 responded to the site of the vehicular mishap and saw several firearms in plain view.

Police recovered a Smith and Wesson Springfield caliber .9 mm pistol with magazine loaded with eight ammunition, a Smith and Wesson Houlton caliber .38 with a magazine loaded with eight ammunition, and an M15A2 rifle with eight magazines and 251 ammunition.

Iloilo City Police Station 9 officer-in-charge Capt. Gimel Acuesta said there were two civilians who sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Ryan was physically unharmed.

Asked why he figured in the road crash, the suspect claimed to have dozed off while behind the wheel.

After the incident, some of Ryan’s friends went to the area.

Acuesta only confirmed the presence of the suspect’s girlfriend, but he could not validate if a fourth district vice mayor and a second district mayor were among them.

Acuesta claimed that he was able to talk to Ryan, but he appeared to be not reeking with liquor.

There were reports, however, that he came from a “party” in connection with the celebration of Leganes’ Saad Festival.

There were also reports that the Toyota Hilux was owned by the mayor, but Acuesta said the suspect presented documents that the vehicle was registered under a certain Jake Derequito.

Asked why he was carrying three firearms and if he owned all of them, Ryan was mum.

The recovered firearms are currently subject to classification and verification at the Regional Civil Security Unit 6.

Ryan is now detained and will be charged for violating RA 10591 and the Omnibus Election Code.

1,472 checkpoints nationwide

The PNP on Friday launched simultaneous Comelec checkpoints nationwide as the election period for the May 12 midterm polls and the BARMM parliamentary elections officially begins.

The checkpoints mark the start of the nationwide implementation of the gun ban and heightened security measures to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

The PNP has established 1,472 checkpoints nationwide, ensuring constant law enforcement visibility.

“At no point will we have fewer than 1,000 checkpoints operating at the same time,” Marbil said.

He emphasized that checkpoints would run continuously – morning, noon and night – underlining the strict enforcement of election-related laws.

In Metro Manila, acting regional director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin personally inspected checkpoints to ensure smooth operations and strict compliance with the gun ban.

The checkpoints, which are operational 24/7, aim to prevent the unauthorized carrying of firearms and curb election-related violence.

Aberin urged police officers to perform their duties professionally while respecting individuals’ rights.

“Your role is not only to enforce the law, but also to build public trust and ensure a sense of security,” Aberin said.

The PNP called on the public to cooperate with checkpoint personnel and abide by security protocols, emphasizing that these measures are critical to maintaining peace and order during the election period.

Marbil also reiterated Garcia’s warning to violators, particularly those with licensed firearms. “If you’re caught, your license to own and carry firearms will be revoked. It will be suspended, and we’re considering a policy on how many years you’ll be barred from owning firearms. In some cases, you may lose this privilege for life,” he said.

Calabarzon operations

Comelec-Calabarzon, along with other concerned government agencies, has started operating checkpoints and implementing gun ban in connection with the coming elections.

Comelec-4A regional director Allan Enriquez yesterday reminded the public that the election period and nationwide gun ban started yesterday morning with heightened security protocols set to be implemented.

A checkpoint was conducted along the national road in Barangay Halang, Calamba City, with the presence of various government agencies to witness the ongoing simultaneous nationwide Comelec checkpoint operations, particularly in Calabarzon, around 8 a.m.

Enriquez said the Comelec’s checkpoint operations are aimed at ensuring peaceful, orderly, clean, safe and honest elections, as well as preventing any incident across Calabarzon.

He added that there is no report of any area of concern or red category yet in the region.

“As mandated by the law, we are also a deputized agent for the Comelec. We are always supportive of all instructions and all policies to be implemented… We are always supporting and coordinating with the Comelec at the proper invitation of all the Comelec policies,” National Police Commission 4A regional director Owen de Luna told The STAR.

The checkpoint operations are conducted in close coordination with local Comelec officials and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ territorial units to ensure a unified and effective approach to election security.

The memorandum issued to police regional directors mandates the establishment of at least one checkpoint in each of the country’s 1,600 cities and municipalities, reinforcing the nationwide commitment to election safety and order.

Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas  emphasized the readiness and vigilance of the police, especially with the elections fast approaching. He assured the public of enough personnel to manage the checkpoints to prevent election-related incidents.

Transfer, reassignment, suspension prohibited

As the election period began yesterday, the Comelec warned against the transfer, reassignment and suspension of government officials and employees, which are now prohibited, according to Garcia.

“Again, a warning to all local government units or national and other agencies: you must secure an exemption to be allowed to transfer, suspend or move people in the government,” he said.

“From now (yesterday) until June 12, Comelec approval is required,” he added.

Garcia, however, clarified that the prohibition against imposing punishment or suspension on government officials excludes the Office of the Ombudsman.

He noted that the ombudsman could proceed with its function without the need to secure exemption from Comelec.

The poll chief, however, clarified that there is still no suspension on public works and social services at this time.

He said the spending ban on public works and social services shall only begin 45 days prior to election day, thus, the exemption granted by the Comelec to the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall only take effect in March.

For Garcia, the start of the election period in the entire country yesterday was generally peaceful, although the campaign itself has yet to begin.

“So the issue on those huge tarpaulins and billboards on TV, radio and social media, they are not yet covered by prohibitions,” he said. –  Ramon Efren Lazaro, Jennifer Rendon, Mark Ernest Villeza, Ed Amoroso