Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos (Contributed photo)

Is the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) nationwide gun ban being followed?

Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos can't help but ask this question following the headline-grabbing road rage incident in Antipolo City where a motorist was shot and eventually killed.

“Nakakalungkot ang nangyari sa Antipolo road rage incident, walang buhay ang dapat nawala at hindi dapat nagkasakitan dahil lamang sa nagkainitan ng mga ulo at dahil din sa tila hindi nasunod ang batas, ang imposition ng gun ban na umiiral ngayong panahon ng eleksyon,” Delos Santos said in a statement Sunday, April 6.

(The Antipolo road rage incident is saddening; no life should have been lost, and no one should have been hurt just because tempers flared. It also seems that the law, specifically the imposition of the gun ban during the election period, was not followed.)

He called on motorists and citizens to comply with the gun ban imposed by the Comelec under the Omnibus Election Code. The ban, which prohibits any person from carrying firearms outside of their residence or place of business during the election period unless authorized by the Commission, stays in effect until June 11, 2025.

Aside from guns, prohibited during this period are explosives, airsoft guns, firearms replicas and sharp objects.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon) said the SUV driver involved in the Antipolo incident does not have an exemption to carry firearms from the Comelec.

Delos Santos emphasized the importance of responsible gun ownership with or without gun ban “to prevent reckless and accidental incidents that will cause a lifetime impact against all parties involved”.

Meanwhile, the solon is proposing for stricter penalties for road rage offenders to deter aggressive and offensive behaviors while driving. The proposed measure will mandate higher fines, longer license suspensions, and possible imprisonment for offenders “to put in place a deterrent to violence on the road”.

“Ang mga insidente sa Antipolo at mga nakalipas pang katulad nito ay paalala na ang simpleng hindi pagkakaunawaan sa kalsada ay puwedeng humantong sa trahedya. Mas mainam ang mahinahon at mapagbigay sa daan kaysa makipagtalo. Hindi natin alam ang maaaring gawin ng taong mainit ang ulo,” Delos Santos added.

(The incidents in Antipolo and similar past events serve as a reminder that even simple misunderstandings on the road can lead to tragedy. It's better to stay calm and be considerate on the road than to argue. We never know what a person with a hot temper might do.)

He urged motorists to exercise patience and courtesy on the road even under a worse traffic situation especially to motorists who are licensed gun owners.

“Ang mga kalsada ay para sa lahat. Bilang mga mamamayan na gumagamit ng mga ito, lahat po tayo ay may obligasyong maging magalang at disiplinado para sa ating kapwa,” Delos Santos further stressed.

(The roads are for everyone. As citizens who use them, we all have the responsibility to be courteous and disciplined for the sake of our fellow people.)