By LITO RULONA
Correspondent
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) would start implementing a gun ban on Saturday ahead of the start of the election campaign period.
Provincial election supervisor Carlito Ravelo said only the soldiers, police officers, and members of other law enforcement groups would be allowed to carry guns based on Comelec Resolution 3328.
Ravelo said guards and those securing government facilities would be allowed to carry firearms during working hours, and only withn their areas of responsibility.
He said all gun licenses, including permits of carry firearms, would be suspended unless granted an exemption by the Comelec.
“Ang licensed firearm nga walay exemption ibilin sa balay,” Ravelo said.
Ravelo said the Comelec has noted increases in the incidence of violence before, during, and right after every election due to loose firearms.
“Because of this, we are strictly enforcing the election gun ban. Nangandam kami karon sa pagsugod sa gun ban,” he said.
As for the candidates, Ravelo said, they cannot hire or bring armed bodyguards with them unless given permission by the Comelec.
Ravelo said the Comelec would meet with key police and military officials in the region today to discuss the implementation of the ban.
The campaign period for national candidates is starts on Feb. 9 until May 7. For local candidates, the campaign starts on March 25.
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