Authorities have arrested around 2,300 election gun ban violators since the restriction was enacted last January 9, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In a Laging Handa public briefing, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing II said: “As of the last report ng ating kapulisan, meron nang mahigit kumulang na 2,300 ang ating kababayan na hinuli po at inaresto dahil po sila’y nag-violate ng election gun ban.”
From January 9 to June 8, 2022, a poll body resolution prohibits the carrying, and transporting of firearms and other lethal weapons “unless authorized” by the Comelec.
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According to Densing, 4,000 to 5,000 checkpoints have been set up across the country to ensure that the gun ban imposed by the Comelec is enforced.
Densing asked the public to refrain from bringing firearms unless the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted an exemption.
“So, sa ating mga kababayan… Sana po ‘wag ho kayong magdadala ng inyong baril kung wala po itong exemption mula sa Commission on Elections. Otherwise, kayo po’y huhulihin at ikukulong,” he warned.
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Densing also reminded local officials that the deadline for forming transition teams to guarantee a smooth handover of responsibilities following the May elections is this week.
“Mandatory ito… Mayroon na kaming pinalabas na memorandum circular and they have until April 7 para mabuo lahat ng mga local governance transition teams sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
