143 nabbed for violating gun ban

MANILA, Philippines — At least 143 people were arrested in the country in the past week for allegedly violating the gun ban, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Col. Roderick Agustus Alba, spokesperson for the PNP, said 22 of the violators were apprehended on Friday.

Eight were arrested in Metro Manila while five were apprehended in Calabarzon.

Alba said three were caught in Central Luzon; Northern Mindanao, two; and Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Davao and Ilocos, one each.

Among those arrested is Saanonden Balindong, who was caught with a .38-caliber revolver and a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in Barangay 188, Caloocan City.

Christian Delgado, 18, was arrested for possession of a .38-caliber revolver in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.

In Manila, Alsed Albani was accosted in Barangay 307 in Quiapo for carrying a firearm.

Police also arrested Mark James Pedrosa and Godelle Villamor in Tubod, Lanao del Norte for carrying two handguns.

Alba said 16 firearms, two gun replicas, seven other deadly weapons and 45 rounds of ammunition were confiscated in different law enforcement operations on Friday.

All the violators apprehended since the gun ban started on Jan. 9 are civilians.

The PNP earlier urged licensed gun holders to seek exemption from the Commission on Elections committee on ban on firearms and security concerns.