9-day gun ban in effect for COC filing

The Philippine National Police (PNP) suspended all permits to carry firearms outside of residence in line with the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC).

Police Brigadier General Roque Eduardo Vega, Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Visayas chief, said PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar issued a memorandum on the suspension of the Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR).

It took effect at midnight on September 30 and will end at 7 a.m. on October 9, 2021, a day after the eight-day period of filing of COCs ends.

The filing of COC at offices of the Commission on Elections started yesterday.

Only uniformed service personnel and law enforcers on official duty would be allowed to carry guns, according to the memo.

“Only members of the police and the military performing official duties and in their agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms,” said Vega.

Violators will face appropriate sanctions, added Vega.

Vega said this is to ensure that the activity will be free from firearm-related incidents and to ensure the safety of the populace.

He said no threats had been monitored so far but it was “ready to respond to any eventuality.”

Meanwhile, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the office will monitor those who have licenses to carry firearms during the duration of the nationwide gun ban.

He said scheduled fun-shoots were cancelled following the gun ban.

“Atong pahimangno nga bisan naa silay license ibilin lang na sa balay,” said Parilla.

He said police operations will be aggressively conducted against loose firearms.

Moreover, the first day of the filing of COC in Cebu City was generally peaceful, said Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, CCPO chief.

He attributed it to the simulation exercise they conducted a day prior. —