AUTHORITIES have arrested 91 persons since Sunday for violating the ban on the carrying of firearms in relation to the national and local elections in May.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said 92 firearms were seized, many of which were intercepted at Commission on Election (Comelec) checkpoints that were established last weekend as the election period kicked in.
In a radio interview, Fajardo said most of the violators were arrested in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region and Ilocos region.
“Majority are civilians,” she said, adding that two soldiers were also nabbed in Central Luzon and Bicol, a Bureau of Corrections member in Zamboanga Peninsula, and a government employee in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
As to the confiscated firearms, Fajardo said 33 were seized during checkpoint operations, while the rest were seized during the conduct of other law enforcement operations.
She said a majority of the seized firearms were handguns.
Fajardo said many of those who were arrested were not aware that the gun ban was already in effect.
“We’ve said that effective January 12, we’re going to implement the gun ban. May be that is just their excuse,” she said, stressing that the police force and the Comelec made prior announcements prior to its implementation.
She also reminded gun owners that permits to carry firearms outside of residence are suspended during the election period, which will run until June 11, unless they get an exemption from the Comelec.
She likewise reiterated that law enforcement personnel and soldiers are exempted from the gun ban only when they are on duty.
“When we are on off duty, we should not carry our firearms,” she said.