Quezon City: The Philippine National Police (PNP) will enforce a nationwide gun ban starting January 12, marking the beginning of the election period for the upcoming midterm polls. Law enforcers will set up checkpoint operations in strategic locations to ensure the security of the elections, as announced by PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fajardo outlined that only bona fide police, military, and members of government law enforcement agencies in complete uniform and on official duty will be allowed to carry firearms throughout the election period. Those seeking exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-imposed firearms prohibition must obtain clearance from the Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns.
Individuals not included in the executive list of exemptions wishing to carry firearms outside their residences or places of business must apply for a certificate of authority from Comelec. Without this certificate, they are required to adhere to the gun ban effective January 12.
Fajardo also emphasized that police units are intensifying efforts to crack down on private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms in anticipation of the midterm elections. The PNP is currently monitoring five such groups, with directives from Chief PNP Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to prevent their use by politicians or groups looking to influence the elections.
From January to November 2024, the PNP reported 8,628 arrests for violations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. During this period, 25,240 firearms were confiscated, recovered, or surrendered, while 9,932 firearms were turned over for safekeeping. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) recorded the highest number of arrests with 2,033, followed by Police Regional Office (PRO) – Central Luzon with 979, and PRO-7 (Central Visayas) with 906.
In terms of confiscated or surrendered firearms, PRO-7 led with 3,951 cases, followed by PRO-6 (Western Visayas) with 3,023, and NCRPO with 2,175. PRO 4-A (Calabarzon) recorded the highest number of firearms turned over for safekeeping at 2,797.
The poll body also urged the public to remain vigilant about gun ban checkpoints that will be established in strategic areas. Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia stated that checkpoints would not only target firearms and deadly weapons but also help assess the peace and order situation in certain areas, potentially allowing the poll body to place them under Comelec control.
Furthermore, Garcia highlighted that a meeting with authorities, particularly the PNP, is scheduled for January 9 to discuss areas of concern related to the forthcoming polls. Numerous requests for gun ban exemptions have been received, with automatic exemptions granted to certain officials such as prosecutors, judges, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, justices of the Supreme Court, and legislators.
