PNP wants no gun ban exemption in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) plans to ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to refrain from issuing any gun ban exemption during the 2010 election period to minimize poll-related violence.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the police are studying the possibility of asking the Comelec not to exempt anyone from the nationwide gun ban for the 2010 elections.

Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluña, director of the PNP-Police Security Protection Group (PSPG), said the gun ban will cover not only candidates but also all government officials and civilians.

“The plan of the PNP chief is to request Comelec that there be no more gun ban exemptions so that during election period (there will be) total gun ban,” said Cataluña. “All security– not only for candidates, not only for government officials, but all VIPs, whether government or private individuals who require special protective custody during the election period” would no longer be issued gun ban exemption.

“All civilians, even PNP and other law enforcement and even the Armed Forces (are subject of the gun ban). Only those (soldiers, policemen, and other lawmen) on duty are allowed,” Cataluña added.

Cataluña said the PNP observed the prevalence of violence during the election period because of gun ban exemptions issued by the commission.

“Because apparently there is always a prevalence of violence during election period, and there were incidents before where two candidates who are vying for the same positions meet and they get violent and both of them have security,” added Cataluña.

For the civilian security personnel, Cataluña pointed out that the PNP Security Agency and Guards Supervision Division (SAGSD) might formulate a design for their uniform during election period so they can be easily identified.