PNP to impose 45-day poll gun ban

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police on Wednesday announced that it will impose a 45-day gun ban nationwide in connection with the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 28.

The PNP said the gun ban's implementation will start from September 28 yo November 12 or 30 days before and 15 days after the elections.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima issued memorandum circular No. 32 or SAFE 2013-ALPHA, setting policy guidelines for the cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center.

SAFE 2013-Alpha also sets operational guidelines to PNP units to thwart attempts by the local communist movement to take advantage of the situation to raise funds through extortion and expand its foothold into peaceful communities.

Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas, National Task Force SAFE 2013-Alpha Commander and PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, recently convened a top-level coordinating conference among Regional Special Operations Task Group heads, and Directors of National Operational Support Units to discuss PNP security preparations for the October 28 elections.

During the conference, Rojas reassigned police personnel in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao who are related to the barangay-level elections.

He also reiterated the strict implementation of the one-day duty interval scheme for the election week.

Rojas said that based on the Commission on Elections Resolution No. 9735, all gun ban exemptions issued in connection with the last May 13 national and local elections shall be recognized as valid for purposes of the Barangay and SK elections.