250 gun ban violators nabbed in 10 days – PNP

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 250 persons have been arrested for violating the election-related gun ban, which took effect on Jan. 10, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Among the violators were two policemen, Police Officers 1 Marvin Granada and Michael Sean Tabarangao, both detailed at the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting  Unit in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, said 238 of the violators are civilians. The violators also included three government employees, three Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel, two security guards, an employee of a law enforcement agency and a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit.

The PNP also seized 154 firearms, 734 deadly weapons, seven firearm replicas, nine grenades, an explosive and 717 bullets.

Mayor said most of the arrests were made at the police checkpoints set up since the election period started on Jan. 10. The period will end on June 8.

He said police officers and military personnel in uniform as well as law enforcement agents with certificates of exemption from the Commission on Elections can carry firearms during the gun ban.

“The penalty for election violation is not less than one year to six years and perpetual disqualification from government service. If you are a government employee, the penalty carries disqualification from re-employment and you cannot vote,” Mayor added.