CEBU City Councilor Dave Tumulak has urged city and barangay officials to immediately inform the nearest police station if ever they have unprocessed license to carry guns.
The development came after two barangay officials were caught for unlicensed firearms.
“I am requesting those who failed to renew the license of their firearms and their authority to carry it to inform the nearest police station as soon as possible,” Tumulak said.
Tumulak, who is also the deputy mayor for police matters, said the police have been implementing search warrants.
“To avoid presumption that this is politics, the officials should inform the police stations. The PNP (Philippine National Police) is just doing their job and following order from Comelec (Commission on Elections). We want to avoid doubt as to the implementation of search warrants,” he said.
Since January 13 or since the election period started, the Comelec has been implementing the gun ban, which covers everyone, including public officials.
Prohibited acts while the gun ban is in effect include the carrying of firearms outside residence or place of business, engaging in the service of security personnel, and the transport of firearms and explosives including its spare parts.
A person is only allowed to carry their licensed firearms if authorized by Comelec.
The gun ban will be until June 12.
Tumulak said that if every city and barangay officials have guns, they owned it personally since the City Government did not issue firearms for years already.
Department of General Services Chief Ronald Malacora said that all firearms owned by the City are still in the custody of the police pending the renewal of its individual license.
Last February 22, Lusaran Barangay Captain Agustin Partulan and Calamba Barangay Captain Victor “Jojo” Quijano yielded unlicensed firearms during the implementation of search warrants issued by a court.
Calamba Councilor Ramsy Mercado and barangay tanod Anthony Gingoyon were also arrested.
Earlier, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Cebu City President and Kasambagan Barangay Captain Franklin Ong said they will provide legal assistance to the two barangay captains.
Ong also urged all the village chiefs to process the licenses of their guns.
Last September, ABC during its third quarter general assembly, the police has put up a one stop at the venue of the activity to exclusively process the licenses to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) applications of the barangay captains.
ABC shouldered the expenses of securing process the LTOP firearms of the 80 barangay captains in the city.