CAMP CONRADO YAP, Iba, Zambales – Col. Benjamin Ariola, police director, reported Tuesday that a total of 349 illegal firearms have been confiscated and surrendered to the Zambales Police Provincial Office (ZPPO) since the start of the Comelec gun ban.

According to Col. Ariola, these include "Turnover of Captured, Confiscated, Surrendered, Deposited, Abandoned and Forfeited Firearms (CCSDAF) by Zambales Police for 2025 Election Gun Ban."

Col. Ariola said this is in line with the PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2019-012 for the implementation of the 2025 National and Local Elections gun ban, noting that the Zambales Police Provincial Office, under his leadership as Provincial Director, has successfully confiscated and received numerous loose firearms.

He said these include guns voluntarily surrendered by civilians, which were turned over to the regional office on March 31, 2025.

The gun ban, which began on January 12, Ariola pointed out, aims to prevent election-related violence and maintain peace during the election period. As of the latest update, over 359 illegal firearms, including 219 short firearms and 140 rifles, shotguns, and improvised sumpak, have been processed by the ZPPO.

ZPPO urges the public to continue cooperating with the police by reporting and surrendering any unlicensed firearms to prevent legal consequences and contribute to a safer, more secure election process, Ariola added.