The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday said that four foreigners were among the 554 individuals arrested by the government law enforcers for violating the gun ban, saying police will continue to set up checkpoints as part of its election gun ban during the 2025 election period.
Despite the Comelec’s efforts to disseminate information about various prohibitions during the election period, poll chairman George Garcia has noticed a sharp rise in gun ban violators over the past week.
In a Viber message, Garcia said that there were 521 civilians, 18 security guards, four Armed Forces of the Philippines members, four foreigners, and others nabbed for violating the gun ban in effect since January 12.
The poll chief reiterated the reminder to the public to observe the election law, which includes the gun ban. The election gun ban will be in effect until June 11, 2025.
Violating the election gun ban may result in imprisonment and disqualification from public office.
The election period for the May 2025 midterm national and local elections started on January 12. The gun ban is part of the Comelec’s measure to prevent election-related violence, thus the police checkpoints were set up.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “554 election gun ban violators nabbed — Comelec.”