Fr. Panlilio di na raw makakabalik sa pagka-pari

One week after the elections, many people are still applying for exemption from the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) firearms ban, the poll body reported yesterday.

“We continue to receive a number of petitions for gun ban exemption until this time, particularly from people claiming to be high risk individuals,” said Allan Ferrer, of the Comelec’s gun ban committee.

Ferrer added that among those seeking exemption are transport groups and legitimate gun dealers.

However, Ferrer stressed that the poll body does not automatically issue exemption upon request. “The Comelec thoroughly evaluates the request before issuing an exemption.”

But the Comelec also reported that more than a thousand gun ban exemptions issued by the Comelec for police officers in the provinces have not yet been claimed by the owners and the documents are still with the poll body.

Carrying of firearms is prohibited nationwide until June 13, the end of the election period.                         – Mayen Jaymalin