27 face raps for gun ban violation in Eastern Visayas

CHECKPOINT The Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas has established checkpoints in all major routes in the region as part of its preventive measure that the forthcoming May 12,2025 elections will be peaceful and orderly, such as this one shown on Feb. 8 at a checkpoint in Palapag town of Northern Samar. —POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE-EASTERN VISAYAS/FACEBOOK

TACLOBAN CITY—At least 27 persons were charged after they were arrested in separate operations in Eastern Visayas for allegedly violating the election gun ban from Jan. 12 until Feb. 20.

These include 25 civilians, a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and a security guard, according to the Eastern Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO-8).

The soldier and security guard were arrested for bringing guns even beyond work hours, the PRO-8 said.

A total of 23 firearms, a Magpul 5.56 mm rifle, two improvised deadly weapons, and 349 rounds of ammunition were also seized in the region.

Authorities also confiscated five explosive devices and other ordnance, underscoring intensified law enforcement efforts ahead of the elections.

CRIME DETERRENT This Commission on Elections checkpoint at the national highway of Barangay Paysud, Palapag, Northern Samar, shown here on Feb. 18 and manned by personnel from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, is one of the over 12,000 checkpoints set up across Eastern Visayas to ensure enforcement of the election gun ban and deter crimes that can mar the conduct of the elections this May. —POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE-EASTERN VISAYAS/FACEBOOK

The regional police, headed by Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad, have been conducting checkpoints, buy-bust operations, and other law enforcement activities to ensure the region remains peaceful ahead of the May elections.

More than 12,700 Commission on Elections checkpoints have been set up in strategic areas, border control points, and joint Philippine National Police-AFP locations to prevent illegal firearm possession and election-related violence.

The police in the region also reported that 125 firearms were voluntarily surrendered, while 103 were deposited for safekeeping as part of compliance with the gun ban.

Amid these operations, no election-related incidents have been recorded in Eastern Visayas so far, according to PRO-8.

Cumigad reaffirmed their commitment to a safe and orderly election.

“We remain vigilant in safeguarding the electoral process. The public’s cooperation is crucial in maintaining peace and security,” he said in an interview on Feb. 20.