A total of 21 gun ban violators have so far been arrested in Western Visayas since the start of the election period on January 12, police records showed yesterday.

The latest to be arrested was a 54-year-old male who was carrying a gun replica while passing through a checkpoint in Barangay Mansilingan-Murcia Road in Bacolod City late Monday night, January 27, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).

“During this election period, we have a gun ban, and carrying and bearing of firearm or firearms without a certificate of authority from the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concern is a violation,” PRO-6 spokesperson Lt. Colonel Arnel Solis said in a statement.

“Also, gun replicas are included in our gun ban enforcement,” he added.

The highest number of apprehensions was logged by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (PPO) with six, followed by Bacolod City Police Office with five.

Capiz PPO recorded four, Iloilo City PO has three, and Aklan PPO, Iloilo PPO and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-6 have arrested one violator each.

PRO-6 Director Brigadier General Jack Wanky commended unit commanders for their strict implementation of the election gun ban.

“Continue the implementation of our Comelec checkpoints in your respective areas of jurisdiction to intercept and arrest those transporting and carrying firearms and deadly weapons without the corresponding authority from the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns,” he ordered the commanders.

“Likewise, strictly adhere to our Police Operational Procedure and related policies during the conduct with the utmost respect to human rights,” Wanky added. (PNA)