CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – Two persons were reported dead in seven suspected election-related incidents (ERIs) ahead of the May 12 polls, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

 PNP concurrent spokesperson and Central Luzon police chief (Police Regional Office 3) Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the incidents include four in Western Visayas and one each in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Soccsksargen.

She said the suspected ERIs in Soccsksargen and Ilocos Region on Jan. 18 and 25, respectively, killing an incumbent municipal councilor and a staunch supporter of a candidate for municipal councilor.

In Western Visayas, the ERIs include a vehicular accident involving an incumbent mayor, she added.

Fajardo said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed local investigators to immediately validate whether these can be considered as poll-related.

“The commanders need not wait for 10 days to come up with a findings and recommendation whether these incidents can be listed as ERIs or not,” she said.

An incident is being classified as suspected ERIs if it happens within the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11, and if it involves political candidates or their families or relatives and close supporters.

Meanwhile, PNP public information office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said their latest data showed that the number of gun ban violators so far reached 379 while 383 firearms were confiscated by the police.

He said most of the arrested were civilians while others were security guards, members of law enforcement agencies, and an appointed government official.

Comelec Resolution No. 11067 provides that only those carrying a certificate of authority will be permitted to carry guns outside their residence or places of business during the ban, as granted by its Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns.

The PNP is running Comelec checkpoints to enforce the gun ban during the election period which, according to Comelec Resolution No. 10999, is from Jan. 12 to June 11.

The 90-day campaign period for senators and party-list representatives will be on Feb. 11 until May 10. Local candidates will be allowed to campaign from March 28 to May 10. 

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) seized 101 guns and arrested 103 persons from Jan. 12 to 28 for violating the nationwide gun ban.

PRO3 Chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that of the 101 seized firearms, 38 were confiscated at checkpoints, 21 were recovered through police responses, 39 were seized in buy-bust operations, and three from other law enforcement actions.

She added that among the 103 arrested, 98 were civilians, four were security guards, and one was a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“This is more than just enforcement —this is about protecting lives and ensuring that every voter feels safe. Every illegal firearm we confiscate is one less threat to public safety,” she added.

Under Commission on Elections Resolution 10918, carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public is strictly prohibited unless covered by a Comelec-issued Certificate of Authority during the election period.

Even licensed gun holders, including law enforcement personnel, must comply with the gun ban.

The election period is from Jan. 12 to June 11 this year.