THE Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) arrested 73 individuals and seized 73 firearms and four gun replicas during Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban operations from January 12 to May 23, 2025.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of PRO 6, commended all unit commanders and personnel for their commitment to enforcing the gun ban.
“Even though election day has passed, the Comelec checkpoints remain in place across the region. Let this serve as a reminder that the gun ban remains effective until midnight of June 11, 2025,” Wanky said, highlighting the efforts of the Joint Security Control Center under Comelec supervision.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo) recorded the highest number of arrests with 31, followed by the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) with 16, the Antique Police Provincial Office (Antppo) with eight, the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) with seven, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Western Visayas (RMFB 6) with three, and both the Aklan Police Provincial Office (Akppo) and the Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) with four arrests each.
The checkpoints are part of the enforcement of Republic Act (RA) 7166, or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, and Comelec Resolution 11067, which mandates the establishment of checkpoints and prohibition of unauthorized firearms during the election period.
The gun ban and checkpoints are intended to prevent election-related violence and ensure public safety. Authorities reminded the public that possession, transport, or use of firearms without proper authorization is strictly prohibited while the gun ban remains in effect. (Leo Solinap)