PNP personnel seek exemption from gun ban

The Philippine National Police is hoping that the Commission on Elections will review its provisions in the application of gun ban exemptions among police personnel.

Police regional director Silverio Alarcio yesterday said the PNP leadership is now working on the possibility that the Comelec will allow the PNP chief to secure gun ban exemptions for the entire police force.

During their command conference in Camp Crame last Wednesday, Alarcio said they invited Comelec officials to discuss some election-related matters.

Under the Comelec guidelines, PNP personnel are only allowed to carry their firearms when they are on duty. However, they are required by the Comelec to secure a gun ban exemption to enable them to carry firearms while off duty.

As of the moment, Alarcio said only one policeman in the region has requested for a gun ban exemption.

He added that since politicians have not yet filed their certificate of candidacy, policemen who have relatives running for public posts in the region are not yet transferred to other regions.

But he stressed that there is really a need to transfer policemen who have relatives running for public office in the region in order to preempt any untoward incidents.

Alarcio also advised politicians to immediately seek for their help once the New People's Army will demand money from them.

He added that he has already assigned three policemen headed by P/Supt. Teodoro Manuel to serve as liaison officers to the Comelec since there is a need for the two agencies to closely coordinate with each other. - Flor Z. Perolina