The Philippine National Police (PNP) has already confiscated 23,277 ammunition, 2,684 firearms (FA), 877 bladed weapons, 489 explosive devices, 165 grenades, and 142 airgun/airsoft gun/FAs replicas, as posted on the agency’s official website last April 30.

The confiscation has likewise led to the arrest of 2,845 individuals discovered to be carrying the abovementioned items. Said arrested individuals include 2,622 civilians, 128 security guards, 36 PNP personnel, 34 government officials/employees, 17 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, three Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel, three Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members, one Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel, and one member of a law enforcement agency (LEA).

Recall that Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued Resolution No.9561-A which imposed a nationwide “Ban on Bearing, Carrying or Transporting of Firearms of Other Deadly Weapons” as well as RA No. 8294 or “Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives, and Imposing Stiffer Penalties for Certain Violations Thereof, and for Relevant Purposes.”

Checkpoints and on-the-spot gun check operations are continuously conducted all over the country by the PNP, in collaboration with the COMELEC, AFP, and other LEA, to ensure safety and security before the May 13 election.