Gun ban set for Antipolo special poll

A gun ban and checkpoints in eight villages in Antipolo City’s Second Congressional District will be implemented by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the 14 March special election.

The election period will run from 12 February to 29 March, during which the special election will fill the seat vacated by Romeo Acop, who succumbed to a heart attack on 20 December 2025.

The Comelec en banc, under Resolution 11190, said the gun ban and checkpoints during the election period will apply only to Calawis, Cupang, Dalig, Inarawan, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis and San Roque.

It covers the carrying or transport of firearms, deadly weapons, explosives, and controlled chemicals; the employment of security personnel or bodyguards; operation of Comelec checkpoints; and declaration of election areas of concern or areas under Comelec control within the district.

The poll body, meanwhile, will begin accepting applications for gun ban exemptions, or Certificates of Authority (CA), from 2 February to 18 March, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays.

The validity of CAs issued to law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions, security agencies, cashiers or disbursing officers, and high-risk individuals during the May 2025 midterm elections will be extended, provided all licenses and permits remain valid.