BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – Since the start of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, the number of arrested violators across Western Visayas has risen to 110.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO) 6 data as of Monday, Oct. 23, showed Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (PPO) made the most arrests at 30.
The Iloilo PPO followed with 19 arrests.
The city police offices of Iloilo and Bacolod had 16 each, Aklan – 11, Capiz – nine, Guimaras – four, the Regional Mobile Force Batallion – three, and Antique PPO – two.
Of these violators, 104 were civilians, security guards – three, jail officers – two, and one police personnel.
Some 78 firearms and 46 bladed weapons were seized at various checkpoints.
With the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, PRO-6 continues the stringent implementation of the Comelec gun ban to ensure the safety and security of the voting process by preventing armed individuals who could disrupt the peaceful conduct of elections.
The gun ban will take effect until Nov. 29.
Individuals found guilty of violating may face imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than six years. They are also disqualified from availing of probation and may face perpetual disqualification from holding public office and exercising their right to suffrage.
“Remember that the penalties for violating the Comelec gun ban are severe. This is a serious matter, and we urge everyone to comply with the ban to ensure a safe and peaceful election,” said IPPO spokesperson Major Rolando Araño./PN
