Cops not free from gun ban

Policemen are not fully exempted from the gun ban.

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco ordered the arrest yesterday of policemen carrying firearms in the metropolis without proper mission orders.

In his directive to the five police district directors in Metro Manila, Velasco said that policemen caught carrying their non-authorized firearms are not exempted from the Malacañang-implemented gun ban.

"They should be the first to comply with the instructions of the President," said Velasco referring to policemen carrying unauthorized firearms.

Earlier, President Arroyo ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to cancel all permits to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) which drew a howl of protests from gun clubs and civilian-licensed gun holders. Because of the Chief Executive’s directive, the PNP ordered the setting up of checkpoints in strategic areas of the country to go after loose firearms.

But in Metro Manila, however, Velasco said that uniformed policemen manning checkpoints would be strictly governed by PNP guidelines as he assured motorists and the riding public they will not be abused. The five police districts are now in the thick of the implementation of checkpoints and a number of violators were arrested and hauled to court.

The PNP has asked the public to report abusive policemen manning checkpoints through Hotline 117 or Magic Eye Txt Patrol 2910.

Velasco told The Star he already ordered the five district directors to include policemen in the campaign against loose firearms.

From now on, uniformed policemen manning checkpoints should not stop their search for loose firearms immediately after their target identifies himself as a police officer, he said.

"Policemen in civilian clothes should be accosted and asked to present proper documentation of the firearms they are carrying," said Velasco, adding that violators will be arrested and charged accordingly in court. – Non Alquitran