Police in Negros Oriental recovered 38 loose firearms during intensified operations conducted two days before the election gun ban on Sunday, January 12, according to an official.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said the firearms were voluntarily surrendered on January 10 and 11.

On Sunday, as part of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations, police conducted 19 anti-drug operations, arresting 19 suspects and seizing 100.950 grams of suspected shabu worth at least P686,000.

Polinar said 20 operations on illegal gambling resulted in the arrest of 48 persons arrested, while 32 operations on wanted persons yielded five most wanted and 27 other wanted persons.

The Commission on Elections, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have established joint security checkpoints to prevent the transport of illegal firearms and ensure safety during the election period, which runs until June 11. (PNA)