Palace backs early gun ban for 2016 polls

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday backed the proposal of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to implement early the gun ban in the run-up to the May 2016 presidential elections.

In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. cited the peaceful turnout of the May 2013 senatorial elections when the gun ban was carried out early.

"Kung maaalala natin noong 2013 elections, kapansin-pansin ang malaking pagbaba sa dami o sa kakauntian nga, o malaking pagbaba sa dami at malaking pagtaas ng ‘no incidents’ sa iba’t ibang mga lugar na datihan pang itinuturing na election hotspots," Coloma said.

"At ayon sa Philippine National Police (PNP), ang pinakamahalagang dahilan kung bakit ito ay natamo ay ‘yung strict enforcement ng gun control," he added.

Coloma also said that under Operation Plan "Katok", policemen went from house to house to verify the ownership of registered firearms and they confiscated loose firearms.

PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa suggested the early implementation of a total gun ban to prevent election-related violence.

The proliferation of loose firearms has been identified as one of the main reasons for the rise in poll violence.