member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) shows the new Glock 17 Generation 4 pistols after a distribution ceremony of the pistols at the police headquarters in Manila July 2, 2013. Philippine President Benigno Aquino attended the ceremony in which 22,603 pistols were distributed to PNP officers as part of the government’s effort to arm each police officer in the country with a handgun in order to strengthen the police force, local media reported. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine National Police has seized 13 firearms since it started implementing the election gun ban on Sunday.
Policemen manning Comelec checkpoints in Caraga, Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas each seized three firearms.
According to PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, two more firearms were seized in Calabarzon, and one each in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and and Negros Island region.
Twelve more prohibited items, including knives, bullets and fake guns, have been seized since the implementation of the Comelec gun ban on January 10.
Citing Mayor’s statement, the report said the PNP has set up a total of 1,661 Comelec checkpoints around the country.
The gun ban will last until June 8.(MNS)