FILE PHOTO: Police officers at a Comelec checkpoint, which are set up to implement the poll body鈥檚 gun ban and enforce stricter security during the election period, in this file photo taken on April 4, 2022. INQUIRER file photo / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far arrested 1,580 individuals, including 10 of its personnel, who reportedly violated the nationwide gun ban.
PNP said these apprehensions were made from January 12 to March 9 this year, based on National Election Monitoring Action Center data released on Monday.
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Of this figure, 1,510 were civilians, 10 police officials, 30 security guards, eight Armed Forces of the Philippines members, and six foreign nationals, among others.
PNP reported logging the highest number of violators in Metro Manila at 512, followed by Central Luzon at 230, Central Visayas (213), and Calabarzon (123).
The number of firearms seized from these violators likewise increased to 1,612.
The PNP imposed a nationwide gun ban last January 12.
The police force said that its imposition of a gun ban is aimed at ensuring peace and order, as the government believes it could lessen gun-related violence during the upcoming midterm polls.