The chief of the Pasig City Police Office said Monday their campaign against loose firearms and illegal drugs has gained more ground with the arrest of 34 people from Jan. 8 to Feb. 7 this year.

Senior Supt. Jesus Cardona said a total of 20 people were arrested by anti-drugs operatives in various drug-bust operations as part of their intensified campaign to rid the city of the illegal drugs menace.

He said just last week, two persons were arrested in Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City for having in their possession 267 grams of shabu.

A certain Rolando Ching of Barangay Manggahan was also arrested last Feb. 1 by the police for illegally possessing six grams of shabu and violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban for bringing with him a .357 revolver.

He said that criminal charges have already been filed against the suspects before the city courts.

Meanwhile, a total of 14 people had already been arrested since the enforcement last Jan. 10 of Comelec Resolution 8714, which bans candidates and private individuals from carrying firearms and hiring bodyguards.

Aside from the regular firearms and deadly weapons, also covered by the gun ban are air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives except for fireworks. Cardona said a total of five short firearms and eight deadly weapons were also seized from those who were arrested.

He said that currently, the Pasig City Police Office has set up checkpoints in three main areas of the city namely Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center, Ever Gotesco in Barangay Sta. Lucia and in Barangay San Joaquin (near Junction area).

"The intensified campaign against illegal drugs and loose firearms also forms part of Pasig City Mayor Bobby Eusebio’s directive to us to cleanse the city of misfits and lawless groups in order to make Pasig City a safe place to live, work, invest and to do business,” Cardona said.

Cardona, meanwhile, said he has also given a stern warning to his men to strictly follow the provisions of the gun to avoid possible relief from the service and also avoid criminal liability.

“Well, I have given my men (subordinates) a stern warning to strictly follow the provisions of the gun ban and also wear proper uniforms at all times. Huwag din nila gagamitin ang kanilang firearms sa kalokohan to avoid possible relief and avoid administrative and criminal liability,” Cardona reiterated.