26 police officers arrested for gun ban violation

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-six policemen were among the 2,141 persons arrested for violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the run-up to the May 13 elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said of the 26, eight were assigned at the National Capital Regional Police Office, one from Ilocos region, four from Central Luzon, one each from Calabarzon, Bicol, Central Visayas, CARAGA, Maritime Group, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Highway Patrol Group, and three each from Western Visayas and Central Mindanao.

Cerbo said policemen are not exempted from the Comelec gun ban. Only policemen in complete uniform who left their homes and are on the way to their assignments and vice versa are exempted from the gun control policy.

Aside from the arrested police officers, also nabbed were 1,964 civilians, 29 government officials, and 103 security guards.

Those arrested were held for violation of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines and will face appropriate criminal charges in court, according to PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Purisima said those arrested yielded 2,075 different types of firearms, and an assortment of other prohibited items consisting of two airsoft/gun replica, bladed weapons, grenades/explosive devices, and rounds of ammunition for different gun calibers.

The PNP chief reiterated anew his instructions to PNP units to intensify checkpoint and gun check operations to ensure Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE 2013), taking note of the latest recorded arrest of gun ban violators.

The 150-day gun ban started last Jan. 13, marking the official start of the election period for the 2013 polls.

The nationwide firearms prohibition lasts until June 13, 2013.

During the gun ban period, all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) issued by the PNP to qualified licensed gun holders are suspended.

The Basilan police led police units in filing charges of illegal possession of firearms against holders of revoked and expired gun licenses.

Chief Superintendent Mario Yanga, head of the Regional Special Operations Task Group Basilan, said the Isabela City police have already served warrants of arrest and filed charges in court against eight gun owners who have failed to renew their gun licenses despite various reminders from the police. – With Roel Pareño