MORE than 2,500 individuals have been arrested for violating the election gun ban, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported.

The Comelec said that data provided by the National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC) showed that from January 12 to April 19 this year, a total of 2,529 gun ban violators were apprehended.

Per a report by the Inquirer, the breakdown includes 2,418 civilians, 18 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), 14 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and 12 foreign nationals.

The arrests were made after 2,486 gun ban violations were reported, with authorities confiscating 2,603 firearms.

The seized firearms included 2,350 small arms, 55 light weapons, 27 airsoft guns, 101 replicas, 60 explosives, and over 9,400 rounds of ammunition.

Alongside the arrests, 28 election-related incidents (ERIs) were validated by the PNP. Of these, 20 were classified as violent, while eight were non-violent.

An ERI is defined as an occurrence that happens during the election period—spanning from January 12 to June 11—and involves a candidate, their relative, a supporter, or a Comelec official.

The gun ban, which began on January 12, is part of a nationwide effort to curb gun-related violence in anticipation of the upcoming midterm elections.

The PNP aims to maintain peace and order throughout the election season with this measure.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• # Election Gun Ban
• #Commission on Elections
• #Comelec
• #National Election Monitoring Action Center
• #Philippine National Police
• #PNP
• #Armed Forces of the Philippines
• #AFP