33 nabbed at NCRPO checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has arrested 33 persons and confiscated 25 handguns, a hand grenade and nine deadly weapons over a week of setting up checkpoints in Metro Manila, an official said yesterday.

The NCRPO imposed the checkpoints since the start of the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Jan. 13.

NCRPO chief Director Leonardo Espina said the arrested persons were charged in court while the pieces of evidence are in the custody of various police units in the metropolis.

He said the Quezon City Police District confiscated the most number of handguns from Jan. 13 to 19, with nine handguns and one deadly weapon. The Southern Police District placed second with seven handguns and four deadly weapons, as well as a hand grenade.

The Manila Police District confiscated five handguns and a deadly weapon while the Eastern and Northern Police Districts each seized two handguns and one deadly weapon.