MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a total of 1,118 individuals since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban took effect on April 14.
A large number of arrests involved civilians at 1,043; of which 24 were security guards; 15 were government and elected officials; six soldiers; six policemen and 10 members of threat groups.
PNP Directorate for Operations PCSupt. Ma-O Aplasca said they are intensifying operations in all checkpoints across the country especially in areas with high presence of threat groups.
“PNP has created a national task force to ensure the forthcoming election is safe and secure…We are going to deploy 163,000 personnel nationwide,” he said.
So far, authorities have seized over 600 firearms and gun replicas and a number of bladed weapons, grenades, IEDs and ammunition.
Meanwhile, the PNP has recorded 24 election-related deaths. Only three from the 76 suspects have been arrested.
According to PNP Spokesman Police Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said police personnel are on standby to serve as board of election tellers (BET) in the absence of duty teachers especially in areas with high political tension.
“In ARMM meron nang personnel doon. Who have undergone training already,” the PNP spokesperson assured. – Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue
Arrests in line with Comelec Gun Ban (PNP)
Civilian 1,043
PNP 6
AFP 6
Government/elected officials 15
Other LEA 3
BJMP 1
Security Guard 24
CAFGU 5
Foreign national 2
Threath Group 10
PAGS 3
TOTAL 1,118
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