ILOILO City – Eighteen persons have so far been arrested for violation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban in Western Visayas.
Data from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) showed two security guards and 16 civilians were caught since the implementation of Comelec gun ban on Aug. 28 in relation to the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (PPO) topped with the most number of arrests at four; followed by Iloilo PPO, Capiz PPO, and Bacolod City Police Office with three each; Aklan PPO and Iloilo City Police Office, two each; and Regional Mobile Force Battalion, one.
PRO-6 said a total of 14 firearms and six other deadly weapons were recovered.
It added that all arrested persons were charged for violations of Comelec gun ban and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, PRO-6 director, said so far no one from the government forces was caught.
The region’s top cop reminded all government forces especially the police that they are not allowed to carry their firearms if they are in civilian clothes, unless they have secured a permit from the Comelec.
Earlier, the PRO-6 warned the public about the existing Comelec gun ban implemented until Nov. 29, 2023.
“When we say Comelec gun ban, it doesn’t mean that only firearms are prohibited outside of our residence. It covers bladed and deadly weapons and even gun replicas,” PRO-6 spokesperson Major Grace Borio said./PN
