No poll-related violence since Friday–PNP
The Philippine National Police has not monitored any election-related violent incidents since the Commission on Elections-prescribed election period started midnight on Friday, a ranking police official said yesterday.
PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said all PNP regional offices have not reported any incident in connection with the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 25.
The COMELEC prescribed 45-day election period from September 25 to November 10 bans the carrying of firearms.
Cruz said so far 10 people were arrested for violating the election gun ban throughout the country.
Among those arrested were nine civilians and a government employee.
Cruz said 10 firearms – three high-powered and seven low-powered firearms – were confiscated during the conduct of checkpoint operations since Friday.
The establishment of checkpoints was based on the instruction of PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to reactivate Task Force HOPE (honest, orderly and peaceful elections)-Bravo.
Cruz said a total of 1,284 checkpoints were put up nationwide.
The PNP utilized a total of 9,598 police personnel in manning the checkpoints throughout the country.
Cruz said the PNP will strictly enforce the gun ban as ordered by the COMELEC as he reiterated calls on all police personnel and other members of government law enforcement agencies to be aware of the prohibition to avoid arrest.
Bacalzo, for his part, said he was satisfied over the initial results of the implementation of the gun ban throughout the country since midnight Friday.
“The chief PNP was generally satisfied with the initial implementation of checkpoint operations and nationwide gun ban,” Cruz said.
Cruz said there will be no exemption in the implementation of the gun ban.*PNA
