Gun ban exemption open for applicants

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections has started accepting applications for the authority to bear, carry and transport firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period for the 2016 national and local elections.

The Comelec issued on Friday Resolution 10015 which provides the rules and regulations on the gun ban and the engagement of services of security personnel or body guard during the period.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Cebu provincial election supervisor, said only regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the government deputized to perform election duty are authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period, which runs from January 10 until June 8, 2016.

He added that airsoft guns and other firearms replica are also included in the ban. He said though that the deputized law enforcers must be in full uniform and are in actual performance of election duty in their designated areas.

Who may submit applications for authority?

The Comelec may authorize to bear, carry and transport firearms and deadly weapons the incumbent national elected officials, cabinet secretaries, members of the judiciary and constitutional commissions, security personnel of foreign diplomatic corps, missions and establishments under international law, and the heads of missions of foreign countries in the country, cashiers and disbursing officers or persons, and private security service providers.

When there are threats to their life and security, incumbent elected or appointed public officials, candidates for May 9, 2016 elections, and private individuals may be allowed to employ or engage with services of two private security personnel or bodyguards during election period from the licensed security service providers if issued with the Certificate of Authority-Security Details.

Castillano said full details of the application, as well as application forms, and the gun ban are available on the Comelec official website www.comelec.gov.ph. — (FREEMAN)