MANILA, Philippines — The gun ban to be imposed for the midterm elections will start on Jan. 13 and end on June 12, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.
While the ban is in place, licensed gun owners are not allowed to carry or transport their firearms outside their residence, but they may seek exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which will review the applications.
Albayalde said law enforcers on duty and in uniform are exempted from the gun ban. Also excluded are personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.
Private security agencies may also be exempted from the gun ban.
For politicians receiving threats, Albayalde said they may apply for security escorts from the PNP Police Security and Protection Group.
Albayalde said there are more than one million loose firearms nationwide.
Permit to carry suspended
Albayalde has also suspended the permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) in Manila as part of security measures for the annual Black Nazarene procession.
The suspension will start from 8 a.m. today until Jan. 10.
During the period, only members of the PNP, AFP and other law enforcement agencies are allowed to bear firearms provided they are performing official duties and wearing proper uniforms.
Albayalde said the 27,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is on full alert and will field a contingent of 7,200 officers during the traslacion for the annual feast.
Authorities are taking all possible threats seriously, according to Albayalde, including the revelation of Mayor Joseph Estrada about an intelligence report that members of an Islamic terrorist group might create trouble during the religious event.
“We are taking all these reports seriously. The members of the intelligence community are constantly monitoring any possible threat,” Albayalde said.
He advised people to avoid the 6.1-kilometer procession route from Rizal Park to Quiapo Church that will be inaccessible to traffic.
“We strongly advise those with no urgent business in these areas to postpone their trips for another day for their own convenience,” Albayalde said.
To achieve the goal of zero casualty, Albayalde urged everyone, including the devotees, to cooperate with authorities.
Biopics
Meanwhile, opposition senatorial candidate Romulo Macalintal sees nothing illegal about the showing of movies about the lives of fellow senatorial bets as long as these are done before the campaign period, which starts on Feb. 12.
“If the movie will be shown during or within the campaign period, that will be an election offense,” Macalintal, a veteran election lawyer, said, apparently referring to the upcoming movie about the life of former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, who is a pro-administration senatorial candidate.
The Comelec also warned against the showing of the film during the campaign period. – With Helen Flores