POLICE, soldiers, and other law enforcement agency personnel attend the send-off ceremony for security forces in the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – A province-wide gun ban will be enforced as part of the strict security measures that will be enforced for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit on May 7 and 8 in Lapu-Lapu City.
The total gun ban will be in effect in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Cebu, and Cebu province. It will start at 12:01 a.m. on May 4 and will end at 11:59 p.m. on May 11.
While the gun ban is in effect, permits to carry firearms outside residence, permits to transport firearms for gun club members, permits for gun manufacturers, dealers, and repair services, and permits to transport and purchase explosives and explosive ingredients will be suspended.
All firing ranges will also be closed while manufacturing and selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices will be prohibited.
“This proactive security measure reflects our commitment to delivering police service that is swift, honest, and truly felt by the public,” said Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas.
Abad reminded the public to be vigilant.
He said suspicious activities must be immediately reported to authorities for swift action.
“We ask for the understanding and full cooperation of our communities as we work together to ensure the safe, secure, and orderly conduct of the ASEAN Summit,” Abad said.
Security preparations went full swing when Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police, led the send-off ceremony for the security personnel tasked to secure the high-level meetings of ASEAN leaders.
The send-off ceremony for the more than 7,000 police officers, soldiers, and force multipliers was held on Saturday morning, May 2, at the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu.
Also present during the ceremony was Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi Chan.