The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested 291 individuals and seized 134 firearms since it started enforcing the gun ban and other police operations last month in connection with the May 9 elections.
The NCRPO series of operations conducted in the five police districts (Manila, Quezon City, and the Southern, Northern, and Eastern Police Districts) with the help from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000 other deadly weapons.
NCRPO director P/Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. commended the collaborative efforts of his men in intensifying the campaign against the proliferation of illegal firearms and other deadly weapons in Metro Manila following the start of the election period on Jan. 9.
Records from Jan. 9 to Feb. 9, 2022, showed that a total of 7, 809 Commission on Elections (Comelec) Checkpoints and other police operations were conducted together with the AFP.
“In these operations, 134 firearms were recovered, 107 of which were short weapons while 27 others were improvised including sumpak, replica, and paltik,” said Danao.
The other seized weapons include 157 bladed and pointed items, 11 explosives, and 1,909 ammunition.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of 291 individuals; 26 in Comelec checkpoint while 203 in police patrol response and 62 in Oplan Sita, Oplan Bakal, and Galugad,” said Danao.
The Southern Police District topped the list of police districts with a higher number of apprehensions, followed by Manila Police, Northern Police, Eastern Police, and Quezon City City.
SPD also takes the lead with the highest number of recovered firearms followed by NPD.
“Presence of illegal deadly weapons in the community poses a great amount of threat and hazard among the populace because it is often used in the commission of crimes and other lawlessness,” said Danao.
The NCRPO chief earlier said no untoward incident happened during the first day of the 90-day election campaign for national positions.
Danao ordered the deployment of 2,591 policemen to assist in the maintenance of peace and order in places where these candidates will hold their programs.
He reminded the public, especially this campaign period, to adhere to health and safety protocols while participating in any activities involving a large number of people.
Danao said campaign activities must be coordinated with the police stations to assess whether additional deployment is needed.
He also reminded candidates must also have the necessary permissions from the concerned local government units where they intend to hold activities and must strictly adhere to all the prohibitions set forth by the Comelec while holding such.