FOURTEEN gun ban violators in Metro Manila have been arrested since last Sunday by agents of the National Capital Region Police Office, NCRPO director, Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. said yesterday.

The official said the arrested suspects are now facing charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

The last two suspects to be arrested were Ephren Tajanlangit,43; and Rodrigo Macawili,55, he said. Both were arrested in Upper Nawasa, Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City for alarm and scandal and violation of RA 10591 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code.

Recovered from the suspects were one caliber .38 revolver with six live ammunition and a fan knife.

Maj. Gen. Danao said that the first two suspects were arrested in Navotas and Caloocan cities. Three others were arrested thru police response operations.

One of them identified as Jonathan Lacaba yielded a gun replica when accosted along Rodriguez Street in Bgy. 159, Malibay, Pasay City.

Another identified as Conrado Mateo was found in possession of an improvised 12-gauge shotgun or ‘sumpak’ with one live ammunition when arrested in a checkpoint along Governor A. Pascual St. in Bgy. Daang-Hari in Navotas City.

Another named Felix Dacula,24, yielded a cal. .38 pistol with one bullet when arrested along Purok 4, Silverio Compound in Bgy. San Isidro, Parañaque City.

Maj. Gen. Danao said that four of the suspects were arrested by policemen manning gun ban checkpoints while the rest were apprehended in police response operations.

Philippine National Police chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos earlier ordered the strict enforcement of the prohibition on the unauthorized carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons across the country to ensure a safe and orderly May 9 national and local elections.

So far, all the arrested gun ban offenders were all civilians. The arrests were made as police put up checkpoints in strategic locations in Metro Manila and the rest of the country to fully implement the gun ban from January 9 to June 8 this year.

PNP spokesperson, Colonel Roderick Augustus B. Alba also reported the arrest of six other gun ban violators in the countryside during the opening hours of the 150-day election period.

According to a report from Police Regional Office 9 director, Brig. Gen. Franco P. Simborio, one of the suspects identified as Wendell Datoy,39, yielded a cal. .45 pistol when apprehended by policemen manning a checkpoint along the national highway in Bgy. Poblacion in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The second identified as Earon Jay Mascara,18, yielded a replica of a cal. .45 pistol when he and his 17-year old motorcycle back rider were flagged down in Bgy. Sanito in Ipil municipality.

In Central Luzon, PRO3 director, Brig. Gen. Matthew P. Baccay said that his men arrested Ryan Reyes,40, for possession of a 9mm magazine with four bullets along McArthur Highway in Bgy. Biñang 2nd in Bocaue, Bulacan.

On the other hand, 51-year old Alejandro Tampis was jailed for possession of a cal. .38 pistol in Bgy. Jose P. Rizal in Santa, Maria, Laguna, said PRO4-A director, Brig. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz.

PRO5 director, Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo said 38-year old Joem Oliva was also arrested for possession of a cal. .45 pistol. Another identified as Raul Sinambong.46, yielded a cal. .357 revolver with 13 live ammunition when arrested in Bgy. Poblacion in Merida, Leyte, said PRO8 director, Brig. Gen. Rommel Bernardo A. Cabagnot.

In Datu, Balabaran, Cotabato, police arrested Romy Salipada,43, for possession of a cal. .45 pistol with two magazines containing 16 bullets, said Bangsamoro Administrative Region police director, Brig. Gen. Eden T. Ugale.