During ASEAN Summit: PRO-7 pushes total gun ban

The police officials of the region are pushing for a total gun ban on December 11 to 14 to address security concerns during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu.

This was bared yesterday by Chief Supt. Silverio Alarcio, director of the Police Regional Office-7 based in Camp Sergio Osmeña, Sr. in Cebu City.

Alarcio said that the PRO-7 will send an official communication to Camp Crame about this request, which is meant to minimize the security risks.

The heads of state from various countries including those from outside the Southeast Asian region are due in Cebu during the four-day summit.

Alarcio said that only security personnel on duty will be allowed to carry firearms for the duration. Off duty military and police personnel will also be banned from carrying firearms.

More than 5,000 security personnel will be in Cebu for the duration of the summit.

With this many security personnel in Cebu, Alarcio believes that those who carry guns for their personal protection need not worry about their safety while the gun ban is being imposed.

"Huwag na munang magdala ng baril, anyway the area naman is safe," Alarcio told reporters.

Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, director of the Firearms and Explosives Security Supervisory and Guards Services -7 (FESSAGS-7), told The Freeman that they already made a draft of the recommendation to be sent to Camp Crame for approval.

Lawas said the recommendation, if approved, would be a big help for the security preparations during the summit.

"Dako kaayo ni og matabang nato (task force) kay mamenusan ang atong mga kabalaka, kay kung naay gun ban at least nobody would attempt ug dala ug armas even kadtong mga lisensyado," Lawas said.

The recommendations includes the suspension of the License to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR), Permits to Transport Firearms, and would advise gun clubs in Metro Cebu to suspend their activities on that days. While security agencies could still allow their guards to carry their issued firearms when they are in the performance of duty, but Lawas reminded them not to bring their guns if they are off-duty. Two weeks ago, the PRO7 and the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines issued a memorandum informing their personnel to bring necessary documents of their firearms during the summit. They are required to wear their recent police or military identification cards when in performing their duties in Metro Cebu.

As expected, the responsible gun owners would always abide the policies in return of the given the privilege to own a gun legally. Rogelio 'Jing-jing' Osmeña, president of the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association (CPRA), told The Freeman that their group will abide if the recommendation would be approved.

The association has 120 licensed gun owners. At least five gun clubs exist in Metro Cebu, Osmeña said. "Ok ra man na, that's reasonable gituyo sad nato nga mahuman gyud ang tanang activities adto pang October kay karong January next year gun ban naman sad," Osmeña said, referring to the gun ban in connection with the 2007 elections.

On the other hand, Alarcio announced yesterday that the Field Training Program policemen sent to Cebu as augmentation force will be issued with 9 mm pistols. Alarcio said that at least 1,250 guns will be issued to them, but with conditions that they must pass the gun proficiency test first. If an FTP policeman would fail to do so, he will not be allowed to have a gun. He however did not disclose the guns would be distributed.

Acting Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Gayotin, who received instructions from the PRO-7 yesterday regarding the issuance of guns, immediately ordered the CCPO firing range be ready for Wednesday's gun proficiency test for the 375 FTPs assigned to his command.-/NLQ