A total of 16 individuals have been arrested in the Bicol region after violating the imposed election gun ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from August 28 to September 18 for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30.

In a report by Ruel Saldico, PRO 5 Spokesperson, Lt.Col. Malu Calubaquib said that the 16 individuals who violated the gun ban are civilians.

Based on the data recorded by PRO5, the province of Masbate has the most recorded cases of gun ban violators, with a number of six, followed by Naga City and the province of Camarines Sur, which recorded the same number of three arrested individuals.

Two of those who violated the gun ban came from Sorsogon, while one each was arrested from Catanduanes and Albay provinces.

The police in the Bicol region will continue to conduct Comelec checkpoints to prevent election-related incidents.