11 cops among 592 gun ban violators

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven police officers were among the 592 persons arrested for violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in preparation for the May elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said of the 11 policemen, six came from the National Capital Region Police Office, one each from Calabarzon, Western Visayas and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the remaining two from Central Mindanao.

Cerbo said policemen are not exempted from the gun ban. He explained that only policemen in complete uniform, who are on their way to work or on their way home are exempted from the gun control policy.

Aside from the PNP personnel arrested, police also arrested 527 civilians, 10 government officials, and 40 security guards.

Those arrested were held for violation of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines and will face appropriate criminal charges in court, according to PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Purisima said those arrested yielded 529 different types of firearms as well as two airsoft guns or gun replicas, bladed weapons, grenades or explosive devices, and ammunition.

Taking note of the latest recorded arrest of gun ban violators, the PNP chief reiterated anew his instructions to PNP units to intensify checkpoint and gun check operations to ensure Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE 2013).

The 150-day gun ban took effect on Jan. 13, marking the official start of the election period for the 2013 midterm polls. The nationwide firearms prohibition will be in effect until June 13.

During the gun ban period, all permits to carry firearms outside of residence issued by the PNP to qualified licensed gun holders are suspended.