ILOILO City – A total of 21 civilians were arrested for violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban in Western Visayas during the first 16 days of its implementation, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
From January 12 to January 28, law enforcement authorities apprehended individuals in various provinces and cities across the region.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office recorded the highest number of arrests with six, followed by Bacolod City Police Office with five, Capiz PPO with four, Iloilo City Police Office with three, and Iloilo PPO, Aklan PPO, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 with one arrest each.
The most recent case involved a 54-year-old man in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, who was caught at a checkpoint carrying a toy gun or replica.
Identified only as alias “Sam” and a resident of Villa Georgina Subdivision, Bacolod City, the suspect was apprehended around 11 p.m.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of PRO-6, commended police commanders for their vigilance in enforcing the gun ban. He encouraged continued efforts to ensure compliance with the Comelec directive.
“Continue the implementation of our Comelec checkpoints in your respective areas of jurisdiction to intercept and arrest those who are transporting and carrying firearms and deadly weapons without the corresponding authority from the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns. Likewise, strictly adhere to our Police Operational Procedure and related policies during the conduct of the same with utmost respect to human rights,” Wanky said.
All those apprehended are civilians, PRO-6 confirmed.
The Comelec gun ban, implemented to ensure peace and order during the election period, prohibits carrying firearms and other deadly weapons without the necessary permit. Authorities have vowed to sustain strict enforcement throughout its duration./PN
