25 nabbed for gun ban violation in Ilocos

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Twenty-five persons have been arrested and 13 firearms confiscated in the Ilocos Region since the implementation of the election gun ban on Jan. 10.

 Chief Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, acting police director for the Ilocos Region, said 10 were arrested in Pangasinan, eight in La Union, two in Ilocos Sur, three in La Union and two in Ilocos Norte 

“I ordered our operatives on the ground to intensify their operations against loose and unregistered firearms,” Velasquez said. 

He said the regional police office is targeting unregistered, and unlicensed firearms in the hands of syndicates and gun owners with expired licenses. 

Meanwhile, Velasquez said 50 candidates and government officials in the region have deposited their firearms for safekeeping with the police during the campaign period.