WPD to restrict carrying of firearms in public places

Following the assassination of town mayors in public places in just over two weeks, the Western Police District (WPD) has announced that it will strictly enforce the law restricting the carrying of firearms in public places.

In his directive to 11 police station commanders, WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong reminded his men to strictly enforce Section 6 of Presidential Decree 1866, which states that those authorized to carry firearms should not bring them inside public drinking places, cabarets, public dance halls and public places or while attending civil, political and religious rallies and meetings.

The WPD chief noted lapses in the enforcement of this law in several instances, notably in the assassination of Monkayo Mayor Joel Brilliantes, who was shot dead by armed men inside a town cockpit.

"Such shooting incident and other atrocious events greatly affect the peace and order situation in a locality. The same is also indicative of the failure on the part of police units to strictly enforce the restriction on the carrying of firearms," Bulaong said.

He instructed Manila policemen to intensify the implementation of the gun ban and strictly screen persons entering public places, commercial or public establishments and places where people converge.

Bulaong’s directive was disseminated for implementation by Chief Inspector Florencio Ortilla, chief of the WPD’s Operations and Plans Division.