ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will intensify its efforts against loose firearms and armed groups as the nationwide Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban starts on Sunday, January 12, in relation to the upcoming May 2025 elections.
In a press conference yesterday, PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky said security plans are already in place for the polls and festivals across the region.
Wanky said they would intensify checkpoints in all strategic areas and conduct police operations against loose firearms.
“We need to strengthen our security plans because of festivals and this coming May elections. The imposition of a gun ban is aimed at ensuring peace and order, as the government believes it could lessen gun-related violence during the upcoming midterm polls,” he said.
Wanky warned gun owners not to carry their firearms during the duration of gun ban.
Government forces to include police and Armed Forces of the Philippines are not exempted if they are not proper uniform, he said.
On the other hand, Wanky earlier warned police personnel in the region to remain neutral in the upcoming elections.
“We in the PNP (Philippine National Police), we have to secure that our elections would be peaceful and orderly not to support politicians,” Wanky said.
Police officers who have relatives involved in politics will be temporarily relocated to avoid conflicts of interests./PN
