‘Election gun ban violations surge’

MANILA, Philippines — Cases of election gun ban violations are surging, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said 80 gun ban violations have been recorded since its enforcement on Sunday ahead of the May midterm elections.

Of the number, 25 violators were apprehended in Central Luzon.

An Armed Forces of the Philippines officer in Nueva Ecija was arrested on the first day of the gun ban, newly designated Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

Three security guards, 26 civilians and an employee of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry also violated the gun ban, she noted.

Garcia said the 1,411 checkpoints installed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) nationwide have been “good so far.”

The Comelec law department, he said, will probe cases of gun ban violations reported by the PNP.

Government officials are allowed only two people to be on their security detail unless there is a serious threat to their life, Garcia noted.

Private security personnel are not allowed to serve as public officials’ security detail, he said.

Their security detail must secure exemption from the Comelec, Garcia said.

25 violators in Central Luzon

Meanwhile, 25 gun ban violators in Central Luzon were arrested on Sunday, according to authorities.

Of the number, eight violators were apprehended in Nueva Ecija, six each in Bataan and Pampanga, three in Zambales and two in Bulacan, Fajardo said.

Eleven areas of concern have been identified in the region.

San Antonio town in Nueva Ecija is an area of concern under the orange category, Fajardo noted.

Ten unspecified areas are under the yellow category.

About 314 checkpoints were established and 2,438 police officers were deployed in the region to implement the Comelec’s nationwide gun ban, Fajardo said. – Ric Sapnu, Emmanuel Tupas