65 illegal firearms seized at Comelec checkpoints

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 65 unregistered firearms have been seized from 115 apprehended individuals in various checkpoints installed by the Police Regional Office-7 to implement the election gun ban.

Based on the records of PRO-7’s Regional Election Monitoring Action Center (REMAC), such apprehensions and confiscations resulted from 1,105 joint checkpoints manned by personnel from the police, military, and the COMELEC in Central Visayas.

The arrests were made from January 9 to February 8, 2022.

On top of the 65 different calibers of firearm seized from arrested individuals, there were also 30 deadly weapons and ammunition seized during checkpoints across the region.

“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 90-day campaign period for national candidates begins on February 8. According to the Commission on Elections, the campaign guidelines for this year are different from the usual campaign rules, which impose limitations to in-person campaigning due to the threat of COVID-19,” the PRO-7 said.

Police Brigadier General Roque Eduardo Vega, PRO-7 director, said this record is attributed to the “substantial preparations” made by the PNP and other government agencies.

As the campaign period for local candidates begins on March 25, the PRO-7assures the public that it will work to maintain peace and order, along with the Commission on Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other partner agencies.

“The entire police force of PRO-7 has beefed up security preparations for the election polls. I am calling for the public and the candidates running for electoral posts to follow COMELEC Resolutions 10732 and 10730 and COVID-19 safety protocols during the election period,” said Vega.

“Let us work together in solidarity to help achieve our collective goals in May amidst the current challenges we face,” added Vega. — JMD (FREEMAN)