Gun ban violators reach 100 in Ilocos

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union-The number of individuals in Region 1 arrested for violating the election gun ban has reached 101 while 63 firearms, and 667 gun replicas were confiscated two months after the prohibition was enforced at the start of the election period last Jan, 10, police regional director Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, reported last week.

Based on police records, as of March 15. of the total arrests, 97 were civilians, two members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, one from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and one from other law enforcement agencies.

Significantly, no police personnel in the region was reported to have violated the gun ban to date, said Supt. Raul Romero, chief of the public information office here.

Romero said regional police strictly followed Comelec rules particularly the gun ban in keeping with orders of Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, chief of the Philippine National Police who said police personnel found violating the ban face termination from service; while their immediate superiors shall also be investigated.

Last December, the Comelec issued Resolution 1814 which recalled the permits of all gun holders, including private individuals acting as security aides of politicians.

The ban does not cover members of the police, the military and other law enforcement agencies who are on duty and in their agency-prescribed uniform.

The directive is intended to minimize violence during the campaign period leading to the May 10 polls.

A total of 192 local candidates in Region 1 filed applications for security escorts before the Regional Joint Security Control Center located at the Masigasig Center here.

Meanwhile, police conduct intensified checkpoint operations in the region as part of its preparations for the coming Mayo elections.