Electoral candidates in Ilocos Norte have deposited 31 licensed firearms for safekeeping, a gesture made to assure voters that the May 12 midterm elections will be safe and secure, police said Tuesday.
During a presentation of accomplishment at Camp Capt. Valentin S. Juan, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) said they have a total of 1,426 assorted firearms in their custody as of March 17, including those deposited by candidates.
“From October 1, 2024 to March 15, 2025, a total of 31 firearms were voluntary deposited for safekeeping by electoral candidates, including 10 firearms from elected officials not running for any position [and] 21 from leaders, supporters and kin,” Maj. Sheryll Guzman, acting chief of INPPO’s Provincial Community Affairs Development Unit, said in an interview.
Guzman said 15 other deposited firearms belong to law enforcement officers.
The Ilocos Norte police also confiscated 12 firearms and arrested 13 individuals for possessing unlicensed guns during the ongoing election gun ban.
“These reflect our firm commitment in preventing election-related violence and continued implementation of gun ban in close coordination with the Comelec (Commission on Elections) and other concerned government agencies to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming electoral process,” Guzman said.
Col. Frederick Obar, INPPO director, said there are no areas of election concern in the province so far.
Obar said the number of captured, surrendered, and deposited weapons will have a big impact in the prevention of crime incidents in the province.
“In the past few months, we have a very low number of shooting incidents. We were able to take out the instruments that may be used in the commission of crimes,” he said during the press event. (PNA)