2,900 guns, weapons seized at poll checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has confiscated a total of 2,877 firearms and other deadly weapons at various Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints across the country since the gun ban took effect on January 13.

As of Saturday, May 4, the PNP reported having seized 24,005 ammunition, aside from the guns and weapons.

A total of 2,929 violators have been arrested since the imposition of the ban on bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons, the PNP said.

(Read: Gun ban starts amid tense political mood)

“Chief PNP Director General Alan Purisima assures that the PNP force will remain vigilant in its law enforcement and security operations amidst several reports of gun ban violations and ERVIs in different provinces,” the PNP said. 

(Read: Stopped at a Checkpoint? Know your rights.) 

The weapons and other devices that were confiscated included:

• firearms – 1,115
• airgun/airsoft gun/FAs replicas – 145
• bladed weapons – 904
• grenades – 177
• other explosives – 496

The arrested individuals, meanwhile, included:

• civilians – 2,701 civilians
• government employees – 35
• PNP personnel – 37
• Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel – 20
• Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel – 3
• Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel – 1
• Law Enforcement Associates (LEA) member – 1
• Citizens’ Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU) – 3
• security guards – 128

(Read: Checkpoints: When can police make arrests?)