Gun Ban Violators in Western Visayas Now at 70

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Nearly two months into the election period, police have arrested 70 individuals for gun ban violations in Western Visayas.

Records from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 show that violators were apprehended in 68 operations conducted from January 12 to March 6.

Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, said civilians remain the top violators, accounting for 67 of the arrests.

Two violators came from other law enforcement agencies, while one was from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Solis added that 30 arrests resulted from police response, 22 from other police operations, 10 were incidental to lawful arrests, and six occurred during checkpoint operations.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO) recorded the highest number of arrests at 20.

The Iloilo PPO followed with 16, Capiz PPO with 10, Bacolod City Police Office with eight, and Iloilo City Police Office with five.

Meanwhile, Antique PPO, Aklan PPO, and Guimaras PPO logged three arrests each, while the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 made two arrests.

Data also showed that police confiscated 68 firearms and six gun replicas from gun ban violators.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, credited the arrests to collaborative and coordinated efforts among government agencies under the Joint Security Control Center.

“As the election nears, COMELEC checkpoints in strategic areas across the region will be strictly implemented,” Wanky said.

He emphasized that these efforts are part of the PNP’s mission to ensure a secure, peaceful, and orderly May 2025 National and Local Elections.

COMELEC checkpoints and the gun ban enforcement are in line with Republic Act No. 7166, which provides for synchronized national and local elections, and COMELEC Resolution No. 11067, promulgated on September 25, 2024.