The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disclosed that more than 1.3 million people filed their certificate of candidacy (COCs) in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled this October.
At least 216 were apprehended while 130 firearms were confiscated during a weeklong operation following the implementation of the gun ban related to the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan elections (BSKE).
Meanwhile, at least 216 were apprehended while 130 firearms were confiscated during a weeklong operation following the implementation of the gun ban related to the Oct. 30 BSKE.
Over 1.3 million people filed their certificate of candidacy for positions under the BSKE polls, scheduled later this year, according to the latest data released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Based on a partial report as of 11:30 a.m. on Sunday-September 3, 2023, 1,316,265 aspirants filed their certificates of candidacy — 92,173 for punong barangay positions, 690,531 for sangguniang barangay members, 85,816 for SK chairperson, and 447,745 for SK members.
There were 115,483 candidates who filed on Sunday, the sixth day for filing: 5,158 for punong barangay, 42,198 for sangguniang barangay members, 9,009 for SK chairperson, and 59,118 for SK members.
Broken down, 65.43 percent of the applicants were male, while the remaining 34.57 percent were female.
The candidates will compete for a total of 672,016 seats — 42,001 punong barangay, 294,007 sangguniang barangay, 42,001 SK chairpersons, and 294,007 SK members.
There were some 2,085,142 voter registrants for the BSKE elections as of January 28, 2023, including 2.076 million who went through the regular process, while 8,651 were processed through the Registration Anywhere Project.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the violators were apprehended at the Comelec checkpoints from Aug. 28, when the election period officially began, to Sept. 2.
Fajardo said the violators were mostly civilians, including two security guards and two military personnel.
The checkpoints have been strategically set up based on Comelec Resolution No. 10924 to effectively implement the ban on firearms and other deadly weapons during the 90-day election period that will last until Nov. 29.
The resolution prohibits the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, even with licenses to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Comelec.
Exempted from the ban are law enforcers in proper uniform and on official duty, but should have authorization from the Comelec.
Violators will face imprisonment of not less than a year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation.
They also face disqualification from holding public office, deprivation of the right of suffrage, and cancellation or perpetual disqualification from securing a gun license.
In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has yet to monitor any untoward incidents related to the filling of certificates of candidacy (COC).
NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they have set up more than 1,000 checkpoints since Aug. 28 in a continuing effort to thwart any election-related violence in the region.
Intensified security measures in one week resulted in the arrest of 59 so far, all yielding guns, homemade firearms, bladed weapons and other deadly items.
Of those arrested, four were apprehended in checkpoints while 55 were collared in metro-wide operations, most in the Camanava (Caloocan Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) and Manila.
Nartatez earlier committed to intensify the implementation of the gun ban as past crime analysis revealed that firearms are usually used in the commission of crimes.
“All violators during the duration of the election period would be prosecuted and penalized accordingly. The NCRPO will carry on with its campaign against all forms of criminality and illegal drugs while keeping the people safe and protected at all times,” Nartatez said.