DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Authorities have confiscated at least 729 replica guns from all over the country since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) implemented the gun ban last Jan. 10.
Aside from simple toy guns, airsoft guns are also banned during the election period.
Police recently confiscated 90 replica guns in Baguio City and several others in Ilocos Sur and Nueva Vizcaya.
Director Andres Caro II, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Operations, said 521 persons have been arrested since the gun ban was enforced.
Of those arrested, Caro said 39 were policemen, 25 soldiers, 436 civilians, and 21 government officials or employees.
So far recovered were 436 firearms – 187 high-powered, and 249 low-powered.
Authorities also seized 70 bladed weapons and 15 grenades and explosives.
Meanwhile, police stopped a convoy of Buluan, Maguindanao councilor Khadafi Mangudadatu last Friday for skipping two police checkpoints in Davao del Sur and carrying high-powered firearms in violation of the gun ban.
Police said Mangudadatu’s convoy was flagged down in Matanao town after it failed to stop at two checkpoints in Cogon and Colorado villages in Digos City.
Seized from Mangudadatu’s six bodyguards were four M-16 rifles and two 9-mm pistols.
Under Comelec Resolution 8714, candidates can only bring up to two security guards from law enforcement agencies or private security agencies accredited by the PNP.
Mangudadatu told police investigators he had just arrived at the Davao City International Airport and was on his way to celebrate the Ginakit Festival in Maguindanao.
The Mangudadatus have reportedly sought exemption from the Comelec and asked that they be allowed additional bodyguards in the aftermath of the Maguindanao massacre.
Mangudadatu said he did not ignore any checkpoints, alleging that those they had passed through were actually unmanned. – Edith Regalado