SOME 53 gun owners have been arrested while a total of 92 firearms were seized across Northern Mindanao for violation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, days before the village and youth polls on May 14.
Data from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao showed that the police confiscated 91 short firearms and one M16.
Records also showed that from April 14 to May 7, the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center (REMAC-10) is also safekeeping additional 58 loose guns.
PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Lemuel Gonda said most of the firearms were seized during the implementation of search warrants.
He said personalities caught with these guns will be facing charges for violating the Comelec gun ban.
Gonda said while the case is a bailable offense, the penalty also includes imprisonment from 1 to 6 years with no probation and disqualification from holding public office.
Violators will also be deprived from his right to vote while the license of his gun will be revoked.
The Northern Mindanao police has repeatedly urged gun owners to surrender their loose firearms, either expired license or unregistered gun, pending application.
"No firearms allowed to carry by any civilian due to election period and even after election day due to Martial Law declaration in Mindanao," PRO-Northern Mindanao said in a statement.
In Cagayan de Oro City, authorities have arrested four personalities since the start of the election period.
Confiscated firearms include a 45 caliber pistol, a 9mm caliber, and two 38 caliber.
Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, said these were seized during drug operations, service of search warrant and police assistance.
All arrested were detained and were charged in court, he added.