ISABELA CITY - A top police official announced that 14 people were arrested nationwide as the gun ban took effect Sunday.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Jesus Versoza said most of the arrests were made in Metro Manila, while one in Zamboanga City.
Those who were arrested were either retired policemen or soldiers.
Versoza said they were caught in possession of firearms in checkpoints that were set up immediately as the election gun ban took effect 12 a.m. Sunday in the entire country.
Though their guns were licensed, those arrested did not possess the required gun ban exemption issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Charges will be filed against the violators, Versoza said.
Versoza visited the Isabela City Police Office (ICPO) and the Basilan Police Provincial Director (BPPO) Sunday and inspected the checkpoints that were set up for the implementation of the gun ban.
At least 3,500 checkpoints were set up to implement the election gun ban.
Versoza personally briefed the officers of the ICPO and BPPO concerning the implementation of Comelec Resolution 8714, which states the rules and regulations on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons and the availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or body guards during the nationwide gun ban.
Any policemen and military personnel could only carry guns while wearing the prescribed uniform.
Lieutenant General Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief, Zamboanga Peninsula Police Office (ZPPO) Director Angel Sunglao, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (Dipo)-west Director Felizardo Serapio and Special Action Force (SAF) head Chief Superintendent Leocadio Santiago accompanied Versoza to Basilan.
In Zamboanga City, Versoza and Comelec Western Mindanao Director Helen Aguila-Flores have inspected a Comelec-supervised checkpoint in Upper Calarian.