SOUTHERN Leyte province is placed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban following the special elections for congressmen in its two districts on October 26, 2019.
The gun ban started last August 26 and will be lifted on November 10, 2019, according to Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, Eastern Visayas police director.
“Let us all be conscious in our area for us to detect immediately any suspicious person or event. I look forward to a peaceful elections in Southern Leyte,” said Carlos.
The police official also reminded the public “to abide this gun ban and be cooperative to the authorities to avoid any inconvenience.”
“Carrying of firearms or weapons; transport of firearms, explosives, spare parts or raw materials; and hiring bodyguards for candidates are prohibited during the duration of the election period. Likewise, suspension on the Philippine National Police (PNP) issuance, processing, approval and release of firearms; permit to carry firearms; and mission orders and memorandum receipts of law enforcement agencies,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, police regional spokesperson.
Rentuaya added that only regular members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the government who are duly deputized in writing by the Comelec may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during election period.
“Provided that the law enforcer must be in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall remain visible at all times, and in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the Comelec as reflected in Comelec Resolution No. 10446 Section 32,” the police regional spokesperson added.
Rentuaya said that personnel of the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU)-Eastern Visayas are monitoring expired firearms in the province and elsewhere in the region.
“Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office continues its proactive measures such as rigorous PNP-Comelec checkpoints in order to prevent, contain and suppress crimes and all other forms of violence in the entire province,” said Rentuaya. (SunStar Philippines)