Nationwide gun ban violators increase to 497

MANILA, Philippines — The number of arrested gun ban violators nationwide rose to 497 as of yesterday, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Of the figure, 16 were arrested over the weekend in separate checkpoints and police operations in Caraga, Eastern and Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley and Northern Mindanao as well as in Davao and Metro Manila, the PNP said.

Seized from the suspects were 11 firearms, nine deadly weapons and 48 bullets.

The gun ban is being enforced by the Commission on Elections to avoid poll-related violence as the May 9 general elections approach.

In Western Visayas, 42  gun ban violators were  arrested as of Jan. 29. –  Gilbert Bayoran, Ramon Efren Lazaro

The arrests also resulted in the recovery of 35 firearms and 11 deadly weapons.

The Negros Occidental provincial police reported the most number of gun ban violators in the region with 18, followed by Iloilo with six, according to Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, spokesman for the Western Visayas police office.

Three violators each were arrested in Bacolod City and in the provinces of Aklan and Antique.

The Iloilo City police logged two violators.

Meanwhile, in Bulacan, a man was arrested for violating the gun ban in Marilao on Saturday.

Roben Ramos yielded a .38-caliber revolver, according to Col. Rommel Ochave, acting chief of the Bulacan police