By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY – Police authorities will start arresting violators of the gun ban starting on Sunday, January 13, in connection with the upcoming May 2019 midterm elections.
The ban covers not only civilians but also the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) which are now under the operational control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Under the Comelec gun ban, police and military personnel are allowed to carry firearms only when they are on duty and in complete uniform which bears their names and units.
“This is even stricter than martial law,” Chief Insp. Jason Baria, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO-11), said.
Baria said police and military personnel carrying guns will be arrested if they are not in proper uniform.
Under the poll gun ban, people are prohibited from bearing, carrying and transporting firearms, explosives and other deadly weapons.
“We will intensify the implementation of the gun ban,” Baria told reporters during Wednesday’s media briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
He added that persons can carry firearms only when they secure exemptions from the Comelec.
He also reminded civilians, especially the gun owners, that permits to carry firearms have been cancelled because martial law is still in effect.
Meanwhile, Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the members of the military also follow orders from the Comelec because they are also deputized by the poll body just like the police.
“Our area of concentration is different (from the police) but we have closely coordinated with the police in the election preparation,” Lamosao said.
Earlier, Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Director of PRO-11, ordered all city and provincial chiefs of police to implement 24/7 checkpoint operations across the region for the duration of the election period, from January 13 to June 12.
Morales reminded police officers manning the checkpoints to observe the guidelines set by the Comelec that include wearing of complete uniform and to set up checkpoints in well-lit areas to allow motorists to read signage and see the policemen on duty.
