The Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday it recorded one validated election-related incident (ERI) ahead of the May 12 midterm polls.

“As of February 1, we recorded three suspected ERIs. One each in Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), and Region 6 (Western Visayas). And the validated ERI is in Region 6 concerning the destruction of tarpaulins involving a candidate’s relative,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Fajardo explained that a case is considered a suspected ERI if it happened during the election period (January 12 to June 11), and if the suspect or victim is either a candidate, a close relative of the candidate, a supporter, or a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official.

She added four previously suspected ERIs were confirmed to be non-poll related and of the four, three were monitored in Western Visayas and one in Soccsksargen.

Fajardo said their latest data showed that the number of gun ban violators so far reached 572 while 576 firearms were confiscated by the police.

Of the gun ban violators, 537 were civilians, followed by 22 security guards; four members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); four foreign nationals; one personnel of other law enforcement agencies; and one absent without official leave PNP personnel.

The PNP Civil Security Group previously cautioned security guards against carrying their firearms off-duty, stressing vigilance amid the poll gun ban.

The PNP is running Comelec checkpoints to enforce the gun ban during the election period which, according to Comelec Resolution No. 10999, is from January 12 to June 11.

The 90-day campaign period for senators and party-list representatives will be from February 11 until May 10.

Local candidates will be allowed to campaign from March 28 to May 10. (PNA)