As the nationwide gun ban officially ended on June 11, 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a total of 3,616 arrests and 3,702 seized firearms throughout the entire election period. This strong enforcement contributed to the generally peaceful and credible conduct of the 2025 Midterm National and Local Elections (NLE). The government’s whole-of-nation approach, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s administration, had played an instrumental role in fostering a peaceful and secured elections.
Based on the latest NEMAC Daily Report, PNP conducted a staggering 998,679 COMELEC checkpoints nationwide since the start of the gun ban on January 12, 2025. These checkpoints resulted in 265 arrests. In the same period, PNP’s Simultaneous Anti-Crime and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEOs) also yielded significant number of apprehensions: 1,879 individuals were arrested during police response operations, 556 during anti-illegal drug operations, 229 through gun buy-busts, 686 during other law enforcement operations (OLEO), and 1 during an internal security operation in Region 5.
Among the 3,616 arrested individuals: 3,462 were civilians; 61 security guards; 16 foreign nationals; 21 PNP personnel (19 active, one AWOL, and one suspended); 19 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); 14 elected government officials (EGO); eight members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA), seven from other law enforcement agencies (OLEA); three children in conflict with the law (CICL); three members of communist terrorist groups (CTG); and two appointed government officials.
Of the regional units, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) logged the highest number of arrested individuals at 1,271, followed by Region 3 with 435, Region 7 with 429, and Region 4A with 336. Other regions also reported notable enforcement results, including Region 6 (113), Region 10 (112), and Region 1 (103).
Likewise, a total of 3,702 firearms were recovered, including 1,317 revolvers; 1,057 pistols; 28 rifles; 28 shotguns; and 908 classified as other types of firearms. Also seized were 79 Class A, 7 Class B, 38 airguns or airsoft guns, 136 replica firearms, 15 unclassified items, and 89 explosive devices. These firearms were confiscated through various operations including: 1,899 police response operations, 556 anti-illegal drug operations, 263 through gun buy-busts, 259 checkpoints, 724 other law enforcement efforts, and 1 internal security operation.
PNP Chief, Police General Nicolas D. Torre III, praised the entire police force and partner agencies for their unwavering dedication to maintaining peace and enforcing the law throughout the election season.
“This success is the result of [our] unified efforts—from the ground personnel manning checkpoints day and night to the support of our communities and the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who emphasized secure and credible elections as a national priority,” he said.
General Torre also emphasized that the momentum will continue: “We will not let up. The conclusion of the gun ban marks a transition, not an end. The PNP remains committed to sustaining peace, preventing gun-related violence, and protecting every Filipino from crime and lawlessness.”
PNP extends its gratitude to the public for their cooperation and vigilance and assures that law enforcement operations will continue even post-election to uphold safety and security across the nation.
