Police nab 500 gun ban violators

Barely two weeks after the implementation of the nationwide gun ban, police have arrested more than 500 people for carrying firearms and other deadly materials which are prohibited as part of the security measures for the Barangay elections on May 14.

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that out of the 546 people arrested, five of them are policemen, three are soldiers and 10 others are government or elected officials.

The policy states that policemen, soldiers and even security guards have to be on duty and in proper uniform in order for them to be spared from arrest.

Almost all of those collared from April 14 when the gun ban started up to Thursday, according to Bulalacao, are civilians with 504 firearms.

Most of those arrested are in Metro Manila which account for 160 of those arrested, followed by CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Central Luzon.

On the other hand, Bulalacao said police have also confiscated a total of 403 firearms in various operations.

A total of 2,712 gun replicas, bladed weapons and explosive devices were also seized.

Those arrested will be charged with violation of the gun ban and illegal possession of firearms, or deadly weapons or explosive materials.

Additional administrative charges, on the other hand, will be slapped against cops, soldiers and other arrested government workers.