Verzosa seeks total gun ban during ’10 polls

Nation
Written by Rene Acosta / Reporter
Monday, 19 October 2009 22:10


THE National Police on Monday recommended to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the implementation of a total gun ban as a part of ensuring that next year’s elections would be peaceful.

Director General Jesus Verzosa, National Police chief, made the recommendation during his meeting with Elections Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, who accepted the proposal on behalf of the poll body.

“[We] are very much elated with the pronouncement of the commissioner because the Comelec is supporting the recommendations of the National Police for a nationwide gun ban. We all know that the control of firearms is a determinant in having a more peaceful elections,” Verzosa said.

The guidelines for the implementation of the gun ban, which will take effect in January next year, will be issued by the Comelec, but Verzosa said the force would also offer a “partial recommendation.”

The salient feature of the agreement is that only those that are mandated by law, including policemen and soldiers, would be allowed to carry firearms, but they should be in “proper uniform and in the performance of their official functions.”

Under the recommendation, government officials will only be allowed to have two security escorts.

“It [security detail] will be limited to two uniformed personnel, and for those who are having lots of threats, they can request for additional protective agents, but all of them must be in uniform also and must be in the company of those in uniform or uniformed personnel,” Verzosa said.

“The protective agents are those that are trained and under the supervision of the [National Police] CSG [Civil Security Group],” he added.

During the election period, permits to carry firearms outside of residence will be canceled.

Verzosa said the National Police will also submit its assessment on the election hot spots, which will be discussed by the poll body on Tuesday in its en banc meeting.

“The assessment should be based, mainly, on the last two elections and it will somehow change upon the filing of candidacy because we have to check also the contending parties, the personalities that will be involved. So a continuing assessment will be involved,” the Verzosa added.

Tagle said the total gun ban must be strictly implemented in order to avoid violence during the elections.


Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/17495-verzosa-seeks-total-gun-ban-during-10-polls.html