Gun ban violators in WV rose to 15
From an initial 8 violators nabbed on the first day of the election gun ban implementation, seven persons added to the list in a span of several days.
PNP Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD) chief Senior Supt. Ricardo dela Paz said that the new list of arrested gun ban violators include a government employee from Bacolod City and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFU) in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
Recovered from the 14 arrested persons were 14 firearms – six high-powered and 8 low-powered.
“This is now the result of our religious conduct of checkpoints,” dela Paz said, as he pointed out the continued information dissemination of the total gun ban.
“The successful implementation of the gun ban could help in realizing our vision of an honest, orderly, and peaceful elections,” he stressed.
To note, a member of the Armed Forces, a government employee, and six other persons comprised the group of violators who were arrested in the first day of the implementation of the election gun ban, which started January 10.
Two of the eight arrested are from Antique province, three from Capiz, two from Negros Occidental, and one from Bacolod City.
Meanwhile, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said that there is no let-up in the conduct of checkpoints during election period, which runs from January 10, 2010 to June 9, 2010.
Under Comelec Resolution 8714 issued last December 17, 2009, all persons are banned from carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public places including public buildings, streets, parks and private vehicles during the gun ban period.
“That’s why, we are reminding the public that carrying of firearms is not allowed even if you are a member of AFP and PNP,” he said pointing out that the PNP and AFP, and other law enforcers, while in the actual performance of their duties and functions, could carry guns provided they are in complete uniform.
Cuevas stressed, “if they are not in uniform, the presumption is that they are violating the laws and therefore, they must be apprehended and investigated.”
The region’s top cop pointed out that even so-called intelligence officers are no exemptions to the rule.
“They should be in uniform as to avoid confusions. If not, they should be apprehended because that’s the law,” he added.
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.
Cuevas also reiterated that the COMELEC resolution also covered air guns and air rifles.
Aside from regular firearms and deadly weapons, also covered by the ban are air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives except for fireworks.
