(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-one violators of the gun ban for the 2025 midterm elections have so far been arrested by authorities.

Additionally, 93 firearms were confiscated as of noontime on Wednesday, January 15, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Commission on Elections’ National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC) reported on Thursday.

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It added that the latest data is as of Wednesday afternoon, January 15, 2025.

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“[I]lang beses nang sinabi na effective January 12 ay talagang maghihigpit tayo. Bawal ang pagdadala ng baril. So yung nakikita natin diyan, parang excuse na lang siguro,” PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a radio interview on Thursday morning.

(It was said many times that effective January 12, we will be more strict. Carrying guns is not allowed. So what we see here, that’s merely an excuse.)

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“Yung iba, nagpapakita ng permit to carry. Alam naman natin na suspended ang pagdadala ng mga baril unless mayroon kayong bitbit na certificate of authority or exemption from the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” Fajardo added.

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(Others show permits to carry, but we know that carrying firearms is suspended unless you have a certificate of authority or exemption from the Commission on Elections.)

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The election period began on Sunday, January 12, and will end on June 11, 2025.

Among those arrested were four security guards, two Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, one government employee, and one personnel from another law enforcement agency.

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“Patuloy tayong nagpapaalala sa mga kasamahan natin na mga law enforcement agencies at mga kasundaluhan na ang ating exemption lamang sa pagdadala ng baril ay kapag tayo nasa actual performance of duties,” Fajardo said.

(We always remind our colleagues in law enforcement agencies and our soldiers that the only exemption to carry guns is if we are in the actual performance of duties.)

“Kapag kayo ay naka-off duty, dapat ‘di tayo nagdadala ng baril,” she stressed.

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(If you are off duty, you shouldn’t carry your firearm.)

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During his speech at the 2023 Philippine Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) in Malacañangcgebet, he emphasized the Philippines’ potential as one of the world’s mineral-rich countries.

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