Even intel operatives have to wear uniform to carry guns
Covert no more?
Being an intelligence operative doesn’t give a police or military personnel an immunity to carry firearm without donning their proper uniform.
This, Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan stressed during the Regional Joint Security Control Center (R-JSCC) meeting attended by representatives from the Police Regional Office (PRO) VI, Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, Comelec, and other law enforcement agencies.
“The rule is very clear. We must follow general policy: it’s a total gun ban,” Ausan stressed.
Under Comelec Resolution 8714 issued last December 17, 2009, only law enforcers in proper uniform are the ones authorized by law and the Comelec.
In gun ban, only regular plantilla members of PNP/AFP and other law enforcers (who are receiving regular compensation for services rendered) are authorized to bear/carry/transport firearms or other deadly weapons, in prescribed uniform showing clearly and legibly his name/rank/serial number, in case rank and serial numbers are inapplicable, his agency identification card showing clearly his name and position (which ID card shall remain visible at all times), with valid mission/letter order and in actual performance of election/official duty or going to and returning from his residence or station.
“It has been the consensus of the body this morning that we have to stand by the guidelines that in so far as intelligence operatives are concerned, they have to be in complete uniform and on duty if they want to bear firearms with them personally,” Ausan added.
Still, the regional election officer said that if so-called intelligence personnel want to perform covert operations and they need to be in civilian attire, they could do so.
“However, they are not allowed to carry with them their firearms,” he added. “If they are doing covert works and they are carrying firearms, it would burn them out. Mas makilala sila nga uahtority sila.”
For now, Ausam said that that it is the position of the R-JSCC.
“We would stick it out to the provisions of the guidelines but without prejudice to the suggestion that we would be having a sort joint position paper to be submitted to the Commission in regard to this intel operatives,” he concluded.
