
THE Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) reported 81 arrests and confiscation of firearms, gun replicas, and explosives during the enforcement of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban from January 12 to June 5, 2025.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of PRO 6, commended unit commanders and their personnel for their continued commitment to the campaign.
"I laud all unit commanders and their personnel for their sustained effort in enforcing the gun ban," Wanky said.
Wanky acknowledged the significant role of inter-agency collaboration through the Joint Security Control Center, under Comelec's supervision, in the successful implementation of the security measures.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo) recorded the highest number of arrests with 34, followed by the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) with 18, the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) and Antique Police Provincial Office (Antppo) with eight each, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Western Visayas with five, and both the Aklan Police Provincial Office (Akppo) and Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) with four arrests each.
The gun ban enforcement is in line with Republic Act 7166, which provides for synchronized national and local elections and electoral reforms, and Comelec Resolution No. 11067 promulgated on September 25, 2024. The checkpoint operations will continue until midnight of June 11, 2025.
The measure aims to prevent election-related violence and ensure the safety and security of the voting public across the region. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)