Manila, March 3 -- The number of election gun ban violators in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has increased to 34, according to the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR).

Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, PRO-BAR director, said in a statement Monday that 36 assorted firearms have been confiscated in the region as part of intensified efforts to enforce the gun ban ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

"To date, a total of 34 individuals have been arrested for violating the gun ban law," Macapaz said.

The latest violator, Thong Gayak, chairperson of Barangay Tamontaka 4 in Cotabato City, was arrested on March 1 along with two companions. A joint team of police and Philippine Marine troopers a...