43 gun ban violators nabbed in Region I

By Dexter A. See

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Police arrested 43 persons for violation of the gun ban being implemented by the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police to to ensure peaceful polls come May.

Chief Supt. Constante Azares Jr., director police director, said 43 firearms were confiscated from violators over the past 22 days since the ban took effect last Jan. 10.

Of the total violators, 20 persons were from Pangasinan, 10 from La Union, seven from Ilocos Sur and six from Ilocos Norte.

Azares also reported they confiscated 637 gun replicas.

The police official warned law enforcers they will be immediately sent back to the different training schools once they are apprehended illegally carrying their firearms.

The arrested gun ban violators included a number of policemen, jail guards, an agent from the National Bureau of Investigation, a number of barangay kagawads and tanods and numerous civilians.

The PRO Region I also ordered police operating units in the four provinces to enhance implementation of mobile and stationary police checkpoints in strategic areas.