Police ask candidates to surrender firearms

Police are urging those eyeing for elective posts in the national elections in May to surrender their firearms.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said surrendering their firearms will help prevent gun-related incidents involving candidates and their supporters.

Lawas has asked the firearms division of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) to identify those politicians who own licensed firearms so they could ask them to turn them over to the police for safekeeping.

Lawas, deputy regional director for operations of PRO-7, said he is hoping that politicians will cooperate and would not settle with just taping off the muzzle of their firearms.

Lawas said they would also ask candidates to advise their supporters to keep away from political violence.

Apart from surrendering their firearms, politicians would also be asked to sign a peace covenant.

A peace covenant has already been forged among candidates in two municipalities and a component city.

Lawas said signing a peace covenant is a way of showing that candidates are sincere and serious in achieving a peaceful election.

In Mandaue City, only two of the more than 20 candidates had their firearms sealed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday.

George “Yong” Mendoza and Jesus Edward “Wading” Monsanto, who are vying for a seat in the city council under the party of mayoralty bet Emmarie “Lollipop” Ouano-Dizon, had the muzzles of their guns taped in their respective offices and houses.

“I only complied with the order of the Commission on Elections. Anyway, my firearms are always at home. I don’t usually carry them,” he said

At least 25 personnel of the PNP, Armed Forces, Comelec and religious sector went to Mendoza’s office along  A.S. Fortuna Street.

“I applaud, admire and praise PNP, AFP, Comelec for taking the initiative of advocating the peace covenant, signing, muzzle taping and safekeeping of firearms of candidates to help promote peaceful and gunless campaign and election for 2016. I would gladly support their program and comply with their request. I hope others will follow,” he said.

Supt. Julian Entoma, acting chief of the Mandaue City Police Office, said City Councilor Beethoven Andaya, running mate of Ouano-Dizon, Rep. Luigi Quisumbing and Mayor Jonas Cortes have already agreed to have the muzzles of their firearms taped.