Election gun ban nets over 1,200 unauthorized firearms

The termination of the gun ban lifts the temporary suspension of Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence or PTCFORs issued by the PNP. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — More than a thousand firearms have been confiscated for violation of the gun ban in the recently-concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections which was lifted Tuesday midnight.

In a statement Tuesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) said up to 1,250 firearms were confiscated during the election period.

Among the last persons arrested for gun ban violation was a man in Taguig City.

Stari Sali, alias Junjun, was arrested 6:30 p.m. Monday after he was flagged down for riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

When frisked by PO2 Danny Fernandez, Sali was found carrying an unlicensed 9 mm pistol with serial number B03452 inside a sling bag.

The lifting of the gun ban coincides with the end of the election period which began on April 14, a month before the polls.

The termination of the gun ban lifts the temporary suspension of Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence or PTCFORs issued by the PNP.

The lifted gun ban prohibited bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons and the “availment” or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards.