Starting Sunday, Jan. 12, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be enforcing a nationwide gun ban as part of the security measures for the midterm elections on May 12.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the gun ban implementation has always been part of the election security, especially that Jan. 12 also marks the start of the election period.
“We are also continuously conducting assessment of election risk factors, including the presence of active potential private armed groups and of course intense political rivalries,” said Fajardo.
The gun ban implementation will be complemented with aggressive operations against loose firearms, which will be conducted alongside with the campaign against private armed groups (PAGs).
Fajardo, however, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already issued a resolution that exempts policemen, soldiers and other law enforcement agencies from the election gun ban.
Police forces will be among that expected to be tapped to secure the election period.
But there are rules to be observed in order to be exempted, according to Fajardo as she emphasized that law enforcers covered by the exemption should be in proper uniform and should be on official duty.
“For those who were not included in the exclusive list of exemption, if they wish to bring firearms outside of their respective residences and places of business they have to apply for a certificate of authority from Comelec so that they can be exempted,” said Fajardo.
The exemption from the Comelec-imposed firearms prohibition may be secured from the Comelec Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC).
Of PAGs and loose guns
Fajardo said all police units were instructed to continuously conduct operations to run after the remnants and existing PAGs across the country.
Based on the PNP data, there were at least three monitored PAGs—one each Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Mindanao.
From January to November last year, the PNP also seized more than 25,000 loose firearms while another 10,000 guns were turned over for safekeeping.
A total of 8,628 individuals were also arrested for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.