The Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced that a comprehensive gun ban will be enforced across the country starting January 12, marking the commencement of the election period for the upcoming midterm elections. This measure aims to ensure a peaceful and secure voting environment.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo detailed that law enforcement agencies will establish checkpoints at strategic locations to enforce the ban. Only authorized personnel from the police, military, and other government law enforcement agencies, who are in uniform and on official duty, are permitted to carry firearms during the election period.
Exemptions from the gun ban can be obtained from the Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns. Individuals not on the executive exemption list must apply for a certificate of authority from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to carry firearms outside their homes or businesses.
Fajardo emphasized that without this certificate, individuals must adhere to the gun ban starting January 12. The PNP is also intensifying efforts to crack down on private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms, with five such groups currently under surveillance. The directive from PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil is to closely monitor these groups to prevent any electoral interference.
From January to November 2024, the PNP reported 8,628 arrests for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, with 25,240 firearms either confiscated, recovered, or surrendered, and 9,932 firearms turned over for safekeeping. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) recorded the highest number of arrests at 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) reported the highest number of firearms turned over for safekeeping at 2,797.
Comelec has also set up checkpoints in strategic areas to enforce the gun ban and assess the peace and order situation. Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia stated that these checkpoints will not only target firearms and deadly weapons but also address other local issues. Garcia mentioned the possibility of placing certain areas under Comelec control based on the assessed situation.
A meeting with the PNP is scheduled for January 9 to discuss areas of concern and other matters related to the upcoming elections. Garcia also noted a high volume of requests for gun ban exemptions, with automatic exemptions granted to certain officials such as prosecutors, judges, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, justices of the Supreme Court, and legislators.