Year-long gun ban in city takes effect

A CONTINUOUS gun ban will be enforced here in Davao City starting January 1 to December 31 this year after it was approved by the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Based on the memorandum from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Regional Operations Management Division dated January 7, all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) are suspended for one year in the city effective 12 a.m. on January 1, 2020 to 11:59 p.m. on December 31.

This is in response to the resolution passed by the Davao City Council recommending the continuous "gun ban" in the city as part of the security measures now that martial law has expired last December 31, 2019.

The memo said that only the members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) who are performing official duties in agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms.

“This is to address the remaining threats emanating from the rebels and communist groups including the international terrorist ISIS, to sow terror and cause death or damage to properties of the people of Davao City,” the memorandum read.

All the provincial directors of different police provincial offices (PPOs), city director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), and force commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-Davao were directed to spread the information in different media platforms to raise public awareness especially to gun holders.

DCPO spokesperson Captain Rose Aguilar said the continuous gun ban will be implemented in consonance with the enhanced managing police operations in close coordination with the AFP, other LEAs, and local government units.

For those who will be having a shoot fest here or the gun holders who intend to carry their firearms outside their residence, Aguilar said they must secure permit to transport at the Regional Civil Security Units (RCSU)-Davao located inside the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao headquarters in Catitipan this city.

The permit will indicate the time, place where it will be brought, and purpose of the request. Should gun holders be apprehended at a checkpoint and fail to present the necessary document, they will be charged for violation of gun ban.

“We are requesting our partners to disseminate the information to the public who are gun holders. They should be aware that there is gun ban in the jurisdiction of Davao City,” she said.

As of Wednesday, January 8, the memorandum has been cascaded to different police stations in the city and will be during checkpoints.

She told reporters that the specific guidelines on the suspension of PTCFOR are underway.

The Task Force Davao (TFD) has recommended last year the total or conditional gun ban here in the city in preparation for the possible lifting of martial law to bridge the gap and address the security requirement.

Martial law in Mindanao expired on December 31, 2019 and during its implementation PTCFOR was suspended.

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