Gun ban campaign nets 248 firearms

POLICE in Zamboanga Peninsula have netted a total of 248 firearms since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed the gun ban nationwide.

Zamboanga Peninsula Police Regional Director Juanito Vaño said that 158 of the 248 firearms were surrendered to them for safekeeping by owners whose permit-to-carry was deemed revoke when the gun ban took effect.

The Comelec-imposed gun ban, which is aimed to eradicate if not minimize poll-related violence, took effect last January 13 and will remain in effect until June 13.

Chief Superintendent Vaño said the remaining 90 of the 248 firearms were confiscated in checkpoints they conducted in the different parts of the region.

The confiscated firearms include 25 high-powered rifles, Vaño added.

He said a total of 67 election gun ban violators were arrested during the conduct of surprised checkpoints.

Vaño said the campaign will be further intensified to ensure a peaceful and orderly election in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Vaño's area of jurisdiction includes the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

In Zamboanga City, police officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo said they have confiscated 12 firearms and arrested 13 people since the gun ban implementation. (Bong Garcia)