99 gun ban violators netted in two months

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Almost 100 violators of the election gun ban were arrested in Western Visayas two months after its implementation.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 records indicated that 99 persons were collared for violating the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10728

Promulgated on Nov. 10, 2021, Resolution No. 10728 sets the “Rules and Regulations on the Van on the (1) Bearing, Carrying or Transporting of Firearms or Other Deadly Weapons; and (2) Employment, Availment or Engagement of the Services of Security Personnel or Bodyguards During the Election Period of the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections.”

The gun ban took effect Jan 9 and will run until June 8.

From Jan 9 to March 8, Negros Occidental arrested the most number of alleged violators with 42.

Iloilo province arrested 17 persons followed by Aklan (11), Iloilo City (10), Bacolod City (9), Capiz (5), Antique (3), and Guimaras (2).

Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, Western Visayas police chief, said different police offices in the region also confiscated 58 assorted firearms and 47 bladed weapons.

Dongbo vowed to continue intensifying their efforts through the conduct of COMELEC checkpoints across the region, in coordination with the COMELEC, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard.

“It is our objective that the upcoming May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections is secure, fair, peaceful and orderly. We cannot do it alone, we need also the cooperation, support and commitment of everyone to achieve this,” Dongbo said.