Gun ban for polls to be enforced starting January 9

THE total gun ban for the 2016 elections will be enforced starting this Saturday, January 9, until June 8 by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Cebu provincial election supervisor, said legitimate gun owners cannot bring their firearms outside their residence without an exemption from the Comelec.

Only the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies are allowed to bring firearms under the gun ban. But if they have private firearms, these must be covered by separate applications for exemption.

The military and law enforcement agencies are exempted by law, but they need to to comply by submitted the list of names, type of gun, and what station they belong for Comelec information.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the regional directorial staff of PRO-7, said that more checkpoints will be put up to prevent the illegal transport of firearms which may be used for the political advantage of some candidates.

Lawas said the police has been assessing political situations of areas in the region especially those declared as hot spots as part of their security preparations for the coming elections.

He said a coordinating meeting has yet to be held with the Comelec, the AFP, and the police to identify hot spots and watch list areas in the region.

Aside from the gun ban, starting January 10, no police officers will be allowed to be transferred in the region unless an exemption is granted by the Comelec.

Lawas said he already identified 47 police officers in Cebu province and Cebu City with relatives running for election in their areas.

They will have to be transferred to another assignment to prevent any conflict of interest in their duties.