THE Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has arrested 13 individuals since the first day of the implementation of the nationwide gun ban on Jan. 9, 2022.

CPPO Deputy Director for Operation Lt. Col. Gifter Sucalit said that out of the 13 arrested individuals, three were carrying bladed weapons and 10 were caught carrying firearms.

According to Sucalit, the apprehended individuals came from different towns and cities in the province during their operations from Jan. 9 to 22.

Two persons were arrested in the City of Danao in northern Cebu, while another two persons were caught in the City of Toledo in midwestern Cebu. Others came from different municipalities.

Some were arrested in checkpoints established by the Philippine National Police while others were apprehended through buy-bust operations.

Sucalit added that all police stations in the province are implementing checkpoints to enforce the gun ban.

The CCPO is now coordinating with the Regional Crime Laboratory to check whether the confiscated firearms were used in past crimes.

The gun ban is in effect until June 8 as part of the security measures for the upcoming May 2022 election.

In the Commission on Elections Resolution No. 10738, only personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies are exempted from the gun ban.

The PNP said gun ban violators will be sentenced to imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation.