MANILA — Laying the groundwork for secure and fair elections in May 2013, the Philippine National Police reported on Sunday the confiscation of nearly 5,000 illegal firearms in the country during the first 10 months of this year. In spite of the significant increase in the seizure of illegal guns, PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered police units to step up operations to account for more loose firearms proliferating in the country. "By taking away these... (GunPolicy.org)