Gun ban arrests reach 554 in January – Comelec

Metro Manila, Philippines - Authorities have arrested a total of 554 individuals nationwide for violating the election period gun ban, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The majority of those arrested—521—were Filipino civilians, while four were foreign nationals.

The arrests also included 18 security guards, four members of the Armed Forces, and two individuals from other law enforcement agencies, among others.

The monitoring period covered from Jan. 12, the start of the gun ban, until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.

Police and military personnel are manning checkpoints nationwide to enforce the gun ban for the May midterm elections, which lasts until June 11.

During this period, no one shall bear, carry, or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, even if licensed, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec. Prohibited firearms include airguns, airsoft guns, antique firearms, and even imitation firearms that could be mistaken for real weapons.

Bladed weapons cannot be carried outside the residence unless they are being used for work, such as by farmers or coconut vendors, Comelec Chairman George Garcia earlier explained.