Batangas knives banned in San Fernando

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here yesterday passed an ordinance prohibiting the carrying of guns, bolos and Batangas knives in all entertainment areas, particularly in the red light district along Pennsylvania avenue.

Authored by city councilor Florentino Flores Jr., the law specified that firearms and high-powered guns, Batangas knives, bolos and other bladed weapons of at least six inches long are banned inside disco houses, videoke bars and all establishments in the city offering liquor and hard drinks.Violators would be fined P5,000.

The SP hopes to lessen crimes in the city, especially as Superintendent Rolando Versola, city police chief, has assigned new police personnel in the city’s business district.

The ordinance is also a response to the resolution filed by businessmen from the La Union Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who criticized police and local officials here because of the series of killings and robberies that mostly happened in broad daylight.

The businessmen urged authorities to address the increasing number of robbery cases and murder incidents that allegedly tarnished the image of the province and the city. They claimed that the situation had affected the flow of business,especially the tourism industry and are driving away possible investors.