SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Police Regional Office (PRO-1) has apprehended 13 violators of the election gun ban in the Ilocos Region as of Jan. 24, marking an early step toward ensuring peace and order during the 2025 Midterm Elections.
PLtCol Benigno Sumawang, chief of the PRO-1 Public Information Office, revealed that most violations occurred at Commission on Elections (COMELEC) checkpoints, which have been operational since January 12.
Among the arrests, 10 were reported in Pangasinan, two in La Union, and one in Ilocos Sur.
There are 3,355 checkpoints strategically established across the region, along with 374 spot checkpoints, 182 border control checkpoints, and 139 joint checkpoints by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Strict enforcement of election rules
Under COMELEC Resolution No. 11067, the carrying, bearing, or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons is strictly prohibited during the election period, unless explicitly authorized by the Commission.
Violators face severe penalties, including imprisonment of one to six years, permanent disqualification from holding public office, and loss of voting rights.
On the other hand, the following are granted with full exemption from the gun ban:
- President, Vice President, Senate President, Senators, House Speaker, members of the House of Representatives;
- Chief Justices and Associate Justices;
- Cabinet officials;
- Justices of the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, and the Court of Tax Appeals;
- Judges of Trial Courts;
- Officials of COMELEC;
- Top Officials of the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, and Commission on Human Rights.
Sumawang strongly urged the public to cooperate on the heightened security measures in anticipation of the upcoming polls, specifically on the enforcement of gun ban and intensified checkpoints.
“Let us adhere to the provisions of the election rules and policies, as your cooperation will greatly help in ensuring a peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2025 Midterm Elections,” Sumawang said.
Campaign against loose firearms
In line with its heightened security measures, PRO-1 is also intensifying its Revitalized Oplan Katok program, which targets loose firearms. As part of the initiative, police officers visit registered gun owners to remind them of expiring licenses and encourage timely renewals.
Sumawang adds that gun owners are encouraged to deposit their firearms temporarily at the nearest police stations for safekeeping until their licenses are renewed.
“Gun owners may deposit their firearms in the nearest police stations for temporary safe-keeping until they will be able to renew their licenses,” he stated.
As of Jan. 24, 74 firearms have already been surrendered to PRO-1.
The public is urged to report sightings of illegal firearms to the nearest police stations and participate in the established anti-criminality and election checkpoints to help authorities secure public order during the election period.
Meanwhile, aside from the simultaneous intensified checkpoint operations and strict enforcement of the gun ban, PRO-1 had conducted an inventory of closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) that were set up in and near polling centers.
Per inventory, 4,633 operational CCTVs were found in perimeters of voting precincts while 3,075 working cameras were found near polling centers.
Further, PRO-1 accounted for the mobility assets to be deployed in the upcoming elections.
Local police authorities are also maximizing all available platforms to raise public awareness of the prohibited acts during elections and solicit the cooperation of the public.
PRO-1 is actively participating in peace covenant signing and inter-agency and stakeholder coordination activities, accommodating radio and TV program guestings, as well as spearheads the distribution of information, education, and communication materials in communities. (CCMT/CGCC, PIA Region 1)
