9 cops nabbed for gun ban violation

MANILA, Philippines - Nine police officers have been arrested for violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the barangay polls.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the nine policemen were among the 704 persons arrested for violating the gun ban from Sept. 28 to Nov. 3.

The police officers will face criminal and administrative charges.

The Comelec imposed the gun ban from Sept. 28 until Nov. 12, or 30 days before and 15 days after the barangay elections last Oct. 28.

With the gun ban still in force, the PNP reminded the public that carrying firearms outside their residence is still prohibited and a violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

As of yesterday, the PNP arrested a total of 704 gun ban violators including 650 civilian, eight military personnel, eight government officials, a law enforcement agent, 25 security guards, three government militiamen, and the nine police officers.

PNP personnel assigned at checkpoints seized 595 firearms, 20 firearm replicas, 222 bladed weapons, 70 grenades, 290 explosives and 5,068 bullets.

The figures showed that 91 persons were arrested for violating the gun ban in six days – from Oct. 28 or on the day of the barangay elections until yesterday.

Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., commander of the Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) National Task Force, said the PNP would continue the campaign against loose firearms even after the elections.

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II ordered the PNP to quickly resolve all cases of election-related violence.