Comelec: Those exempted from gun ban must always carry certificate of exemption

The Commission on Elections is urging individuals who have been granted gun ban exemptions to always carry with them the certificate of exemption so they won't be arrested.

Comelec-7 regional director lawyer Rene Ray Buac in the recent "Kapihan sa PIA" has admitted that their office is not furnished with a copy of the list of individuals exempted from the gun ban, and that the "matter of defense lies on the person being apprehended to present the certificate of exemption."

Comelec-7 concurrent election attorney Lionel Marco Castillano, however, said Comelec Manila has not approved any of the requests or applications for gun ban exemption here in the region.

Castillano said the Comelec releases three copies of approved certificates of exemption. The original certificate is given to the gun owner, a copy is given to the Committee on Firearms and Security and the other copy is retained at the Comelec Central office.

Buac said Comelec Central does not furnish its regional offices with a list of those who have been granted gun ban exemptions because the office does not want the public to know who have been granted exemptions.

It is also a way, he said, to prevent Comelec regional offices from being besieged with complaints on why others have been granted exemptions while others have been denied.

Buac said only the members of the police and the military are exempted from the gun ban and that they are asked to secure a certificate of exemption as a procedural requirement.

Police or military personnel must, however, be on duty and in full uniform when carrying their service weapons. - Gregg M. Rubio/MEEV