THE number of gun ban violators apprehended by Philippine National Police agents since last January 9 breached the 1,000 mark on Wednesday as PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos ordered the strict enforcement of the prohibition on the unauthorized carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons to keep peace and order during the election period.

As of 12:01 a.m. yesterday, a total of 1,134 gun ban offenders have been arrested by the police as a result of 1,009 operations. They include eight police personnel, seven members of the Armed Forces, 13 private security guards and 1,097 civilians.

Gen. Carlos said that those operations also resulted in the confiscation of 877 firearms including 713 handguns, 36 light weapons, 60 firearm parts, 44 gun replicas, 398 deadly weapons, 339 bladed weapons, 59 explosive materials and 5,461 assorted live ammunition.

The National Capital Region Police Office headed by Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. made the biggest number of arrest with 378 followed by the Police Regional Office 7 in Central Visayas under Brigadier Gen. Roque Edgardo Vega with 412.

The PRO3 in Central Luzon headed by Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay has so far apprehended 126 violators; the PRO4-A in Calabarzon region under Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra with 110; and the PRO6 in Western Visayas headed by Brig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo with 57.

The nationwide gun ban ordered by the Commission on Elections took effect on midnight of January 9 and will last until June 8, a month after the May 9 national and local elections.

During the 150-day election period, all firearms’ licenses and Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence issued by the PNP to licensed gun-holders are automatically suspended.

Only law enforcement officers in their agency-prescribed uniform and in the official performance of duty are allowed to carry their guns in public.

At the same time, only firearms owners who have been granted a certificate of authority from the poll body’s committee on the ban on firearms and security concerns are exempted from the ban.

Violation of the ban is an election offense punishable with one to six years imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right to vote.

The Comelec has also prohibited the following during the election period: alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service; use of security personnel or bodyguards by a candidate unless authorized in writing by the commission; organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or other such forces; and suspension of elective local officials.

The campaign period for national candidates officially started last February 8 while local candidates can start campaigning on March 25.

Gen. Carlos has reminded his men that exemptions from the gun ban for authorities were not absolute.

“It should be understood that only on-duty police personnel, clearly identified as members of the PNP, are allowed to carry their firearms. Any citizen may report to the PNP any police personnel abusing or violating this rule,” Gen. Carlos said.

He reminded his men manning checkpoints that they are limited to visual searches except when they are authorized by law to conduct further inspection under certain conditions.

One such condition is defiance by a motorist of a security checkpoint which, he explained, may give reasonable ground that the person has committed or is about to commit a crime.

The top cop advised the public that they are not compelled to alight from their vehicles at a checkpoint for physical checks.

“They are also required to open their glove compartment, trunk and bags,” he said.