By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, (PNA) –The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday announced the arrest of almost 150 persons for violating the firearms ban.
Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said that as of 10:10 a.m. Sunday, 146 persons, mostly civilians, have been apprehended for carrying firearms since the implementation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban last September 27.
Of this number, 138 are civilians, three police officers, four security guards and one government official, Mayor said.
He added confiscated were 117 firearms, 41 bladed weapons, 23 other explosives, eight grenades, nine firearm replicas and 1,104 ammunition.
The gun ban is being implemented by the PNP and other law enforcement agencies for the barangay election period from September 28 to November 12, which is 30 days before, and 15 days after the October 28 village elections.
“PNP chief, Police Director General Alan Purisima, assures that the PNP will remain vigilant in its law enforcement and security operations to ensure safe and fair election,” Mayor said.