25 People Arrested On First Day Of Gun Ban For Upcoming 2019 Elections
GUN BAN – On Monday evening, the Philippine National Police announced that there are at least 25 people arrested on the first day of gun ban.
According to PhilStar, PNP director General Oscar Albayalde said that they have conducted an accumulated 4,447 checkpoint operations that resulted in the arrest of 25 persons and the confiscation of the following items:
- 27 firearms;
- 168 rounds of ammunition;
- 7 bladed weapons;
- 22 gun replicas;
- 70 sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride); and
- two glass pipes with suspected marijuana.
The ban of firearms began on January 13 and will end on June 12 right after the midterm elections. During this time, licensed gun owners are advised
not to transport their firearms outside of their residences. the Commision on Elections (COMELEC) are the ones who will grant exemptions from the ban.
Albayalde further said that the uniformed law enforcement, the military, and even private security agencies are exempted from the ban.
The director further added that politicians who are receiving death threats may apply for escorts from the PNP.
As per the report, albeit the implementation of the ban was successful, four men were killed on the first night of the ban:
- Two in a police encounter in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan after they ignored a checkpoint and allegedly firing at police officers; and
- Two more in police operations in Nueva Ecija.
The following measures, according to Albayalde, will be implemented:
- Strict implementation of gun ban;
- Intensified focus law enforcement operations;
- Dismantling of private armed groups;
- Early preparation of security and contingency plans;
- Provide security to vulnerable candidates;
- Limited reshuffle of PNP personnel;
- Accounting of loose firearms; and
- Neutralization of gun for hire and criminal gangs
Lastly, the police will provide further updates of ban violations until the end of election period.
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