Gov Espino urges peace after shooting incidents

By Mar T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- Following recent shooting incidents that rocked the province, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged provincial officials and barangay council heads to join the province in its crusade for a peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 2010 elections.

A former police regional director and provincial commander, Espino made the appeal not only to incumbent officials but electoral candidates.

“As the total gun ban started last January 10, Governor Espino expects a peaceful conduct of the coming polls with the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP),” said Butch Velasco, Public Information officer.

Political battle in this capital town is expected to be peaceful since the incumbent and reelectionist mayor Jonas Castaneda is known to be man of integrity, diplomatic and low profile.

In relation to reported incidents of abuse and misuse of the shotguns that were issued last year to all barangay captains throughout Pangasinan, provincial officials issued a clarification during the PNP command conference Jan. 11 at the PDCC Tactical Operations Center here.

Lawyer Geraldine Baniqued, who represented the provincial government, read a statement saying “after the signing of the supplemental memorandum of agreement among the PNP, the barangays and the provincial government, the province has ceased to become the owner of the shotguns which became the property of the barangays.”

“Even as the ownership of the shotguns is vested in the barangays, the PNP continues to have operational supervision in the utilization, maintenance and retrieval of the shotguns.”

She added under the MOA, the PNP is authorized to cause the immediate retrieval of the firearm, in instances where it was used in the commission of a crime or was used in any manner which is contrary to the provisions of the agreement.

The legal officer also added that it is very clear in the MOA that during the entire duration of the election period, whether national or local, all shotguns will be deposited to the proper PNP stations, and custody shall be transferred to the chief of police, and the same shall be similarly be subject to the laws, rules and regulations passed by the Commission on Elections.

Meanwhile, regional police director Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr. pledged his full support to Pangasinan saying the province is generally secure as far as peace and order is concerned under the leadership of Espino.

The PNP, he said, will remain loyal to their mandate and not to any politician to ensure the safety of the public.

He also asked the support of the media to cooperate with the law enforcers and serve as watchdogs for a peaceful conduct of the coming polls and remain vigilant in reporting all untoward incidents related to election.