Athletic meet in Abra forces gun ban – PNP

BAGUIO CITY — The province of Abra is now under a gun ban, following the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) suspension of all Permits to Carry Firearm Outside of Residence (PTCFORs) and Permits to Transport and Purchase of Explosives/ Explosive Ingredients (PTTPEEI) in the province.

Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, PNP Chief, approved the suspension order upon the recommendation of Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza, regional director (RD) of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-Cor), in the interest of the safety and security of residents as big festivities and public gatherings are expected in the province this month.

The ban on the transport of firearms and explosive ingredients is part of security preparations to ensure the safety and security of all athletes, including local and foreign tourists, who are expected to attend the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) 2018, said Carranza.

The memorandum from the PNP Chief, specifically provides that the suspension of the PTCFOR and PTTPEEI shall take effect on the following dates: Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) meet- for a period of six days from February 4-9, 2019, Bangued Town Fiesta-for a period of four days from February 23 to 26, 2018, and Kawayan Festival- for a period of nine days from March 1 to 9, 2018.

Dela Rosa himself is expected to visit the province’s capital, Bangued, today as the guest honor and speaker at the opening of the CARAA.

City schools governance operations division chief Arthur Tiongan said on Thursday that elementary and secondary schools in the city gave their imprimatur to their student athletes’ attendance to the meet except University of Baguio (UB) which served notice of withdrawal of their athletes.

UB Vice President for Administration Rommel Ayson cited the “unstable security of (Abra) where two officers died and where their congressman and staff sustained injuries (which) prompted some parents to withdraw their children from their” events as reason for their withdrawal.

But Tiongan, who held an emergency meeting with the school officials and the athletes’ parents last Thursday, said that UB agreed to excuse from their classes athletes who will be allowed by their parents to join the competition. (With a report from Martin A. Sadongdong)