ILOILO City – Thirteen civilians were apprehended for violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban in Western Visayas over a span of 10 days, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
As of Wednesday, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) recorded the highest number of arrests with five violators, followed by the Iloilo City Police Office with three.
The Bacolod City Police Office and Capiz Police Provincial Office each reported two arrests, while the Iloilo Police Provincial Office logged one.
“All arrested violators are civilians. So far, no one from government forces or security agencies has been apprehended,” said PRO-6 spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis.
Solis reminded licensed gun holders that carrying firearms outside their residences during the election period is strictly prohibited unless an exemption from Comelec has been granted.
“Even government personnel are not exempt. They are allowed to carry firearms only if they are in proper uniform and performing official duties,” he stressed.
The nationwide gun ban, implemented on January 12 in connection with the May 2025 elections, will remain in effect until June 11.
Under Section 261 (q) of the Omnibus Election Code, individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms or deadly weapons outside their residences or places of business during the election period unless authorized by the Commission.
Only regular members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies deputized by Comelec are permitted to carry firearms.
Certain high-ranking officials are granted full exemption, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, Senators, House Speaker, Members of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, and select officials of the Executive, Judiciary, and Comelec.
Authorities continue to urge compliance to ensure a peaceful and secure election period across the country./PN
