Jan 11, 2010
The ban is introduced ahead of every Philippine election, but it has taken on more significance in recent months following a massacre of 57 people and the separate killings of at least five other people in poll-linked violence. -- PHOTO: AFP
MANILA - POLICEMEN and soldiers were among 47 people arrested for illegally carrying guns in the Philippines on the first day of a firearms ban imposed ahead of national elections, authorities said on Monday.
National police deputy director general Jefferson Soriano said tens of thousands of officers had been deployed to man 3,500 checkpoints set up across the country on Sunday to enforce the ban on the unauthorised carrying of weapons.
The ban is introduced ahead of every Philippine election, but it has taken on more significance in recent months following a massacre of 57 people and the separate killings of at least five other people in poll-linked violence.
Mr Soriano said five policemen and three soldiers were among the 47 people arrested on Sunday when the ban was introduced.
In an interview with ABS-CBN television, Mr Soriano said soldiers and policemen who are not on active duty were subject to the ban. The officers and soldiers arrested on Sunday were not on duty, he said.
Under the terms of the ban, civilians with regular permits to carry guns are also not allowed to take their weapons out of their homes. In addition, politicians are also not allowed to have armed bodyguards, a common practice normally. -- AFP
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