Gun ban violators hit 1,134 – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 1,134 people have been arrested nationwide for allegedly violating the election gun ban, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

The violators were apprehended in 1,009 law enforcement operations since the gun ban was implemented on Jan. 9. It will last until the end of the election period on June 8.

The PNP said 1,097 of those arrested are civilians followed by 13 security guards, eight police personnel, seven soldiers and nine from other sectors.

Central Visayas posted the most number of violators with 412 followed by Metro Manila, 378; Central Luzon, 126; Calabarzon, 110, and Western Visayas, 57.

Police said they confiscated 877 firearms, 339 bladed weapons, 59 explosives and 5,461 rounds of ammunition.

Among those arrested were Mark Kadmiel Mendoza, 25, allegedly a member of the Philippine Marines, and Anthony Dave Villapando, 26. They were nabbed in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Monday night.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s National Capital Region field office, said they conducted an entrapment operation after receiving reports that the suspects were selling loose firearms.

An investigation showed that Mendoza and Villapando are members of a criminal group involved in gunrunning, gun-for-hire and drug pushing.

The two were handcuffed after they received the marked money from a policeman who posed as a buyer.

Police said they seized a .45-caliber handgun, a KG9 submachine gun, 38 bullets, a cell phone, assorted identification cards and a motorcycle from the suspects.

Another suspected gunrunner, Jessica Rivera, 18, was arrested in Barangay 96, Caloocan City on Monday.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for Rivera’s companion, Marpie Diego, who escaped from the police.

Rivera yielded a .38-caliber handgun, which she gave to a police officer in exchange for money.

The suspects are being held on charges of violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and the gun ban under the Omnibus Election Code.