Gun ban takes effect in Philippines ahead of May elections

Sun, 10 Jan 2010

Manila - A nationwide gun ban took effect Sunday in the Philippines as part of efforts to reduce violence ahead of general elections in May, police said. Under the ban, only state law enforcers and authorized private protection agents are allowed to carry firearms, Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, national police spokesman, said.

Espina said permits to carry firearms issued to civilians are generally suspended during the election period, which runs from Sunday through June 15.

Gun owners can apply for exemptions with the Commission on Elections, but they have to go undergo a strict process and be able to prove that they are under threat.

Police have set up 3,500 checkpoints all over the Philippines to enforce the gun ban, Espina said.

At least 12 people were arrested in the first few hours since the ban took effect.

"There are no excuses that can be entertained for violating the gun ban," Espina said.

Police must also be in uniform to carry their firearms, otherwise they would be in violation of the gun ban, he added.

Espina assured the public that police officers manning checkpoints around the country have been given "strict instructions to observe proper decorum and human rights provisions."

"Any complaints can be channeled to the nearest police stations if abuses are committed," he added.

Elections in the Philippines have traditionally been marred by violence and allegations of massive cheating. In the last national elections in 2007, more than 140 people were killed in poll-related violence.

More than 18,000 positions are up for grabs in the elections on May 10, including president, vice president, senators, congressional representatives, governors, and mayors.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/302919,gun-ban-takes-effect-in-philippines-ahead-of-may-elections.html.