PNP: Gun ban still in effect; 764 violators arrested so far

The Philippine National Police reminded the law enforcement community the poll gun ban for last Monday’s barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections remains in effect until November 10. PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. issued the reminder Saturday after noting at least 764 people, including lawmen, have already been arrested for violating the ban. “Police are allowed to bring their service firearms only if they are in uniform and on duty. The same goes for soldiers and all other law enforcement agencies for that matter," he said in Filipino in an interview on dzBB radio. The PNP started enforcing a nationwide gun ban for the Oct. 25 elections last September 25, to minimize election-related violence. “Pumapalo na 764 ang ating nahuhuli nationwide, umaasa tayo 25 kada araw ang nahuhuli (We have so far arrested 764 violators nationwide. We expect to catch an average of 25 daily)," he said. Cruz noted the PNP will continue to arrest and charge people violating the gun ban until it lapses on November 10. — LBG, GMANews.TV