MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded the public that although the elections are over, the gun ban is still in effect until June 12.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. issued the statement yesterday, following reports that the number of persons arrested for gun ban has continued to increase after the polls almost two weeks ago.
“Our policemen in the field are still conducting checkpoints and police operations on gun ban,†Cerbo said.
The conduct of checkpoints and on-the-spot gun check operations resulted in the arrest of 3,450 individuals, including 3,177 civilians, 43 government employees and 145 security guards, who were found carrying firearms and similar items.
Lawmen seized 3,355 firearms, 1,020 bladed weapons, 217 grenades and 504 other explosive devices.
The gun ban was in compliance with the Commission on Elections’ resolution to sustain safety and security within the country during election period.
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who ordered the PNP to launch Task Force Secure and Fair Elections 2013 in November to ensure peaceful and orderly elections, said the midterm election was “safer and less bloody†compared to the polls in 2010 and 2007.