Manila, Feb. 17 -- A total of 971 have been arrested for violating the gun ban since the election period started Jan. 12, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP information chief Col. Randulf Tuano said 921 civilians violated the gun ban based on National Election Monitoring Action Center's (NEMAC) data as of Feb. 16.

Data also showed that 22 security guards, eight Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel and five PNP members were among the violators.

According to the report, most violators were monitored in Metro Manila with 290, followed by Central Luzon (149) and Calabarzon (82).

The PNP conducted 254,355 checkpoints in Commission on Elections-designated areas.

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