MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned Friday against the proliferation of spurious gun ban exemption permits circulated by unscrupulous individuals.
In a hastily called press conference, Comelec–Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) Chairman Commissioner Elias Yusoph said they have come to know that there are some permits circulating carrying a fake signature of himself.
"I am cautioning the public that there is now circulating fake authorization certificate of authority for the gun ban exemption," said Yusoph.
He noted how the original permit should carry his signature, as well as that of his counterparts from the Philippine National Police (PNP), General Miguel Antonio Jr., and from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), General Rodelio Santos.
Yusoph said the original permit should bear a watermark of the Comelec.
He noted that the application fee for the original permit is worth P5,000 while the fake ones cost about P1,200.
He urged the public to report to authorities those individuals selling fake gun ban exemption permits and warned police and military personnel manning the check points to be vigilant when taking a look at the permits of motorists.
"The PNP and the AFP manning the checkpoints should be very cautious in the examination of these documents," said the commissioner.
Last January 13, the election gun ban already took effect and will last until June 12, the end of the election period.
As of Thursday, the total number of arrested people in the election gun ban has increased to 154, Philippine National Police data show.
Some 143 civilians, five security guards, four government employees, and two PNP personnel were found carrying firearms, deadly weapons and explosives.
Some 139 firearms have been confiscated so far along with 186 ammunition and 10 grenades and explosives, it added.
At least 41 bladed weapons and two firearm replicas were also seized.
Under the ban, it is prohibited to bear, carry, transport firearms and other deadly weapons unless authorized by the Comelec-CBSFP.
Yusoph said those who will be caught in possession of fake permits can be charged with falsification of public documents, and imprisoned from six to 12 years if proven guilty.
"If you are in possession of fake document, you are presumed to be the author of the fake document… unless you can pin point the person responsible for it," said Yusoph. (HDT/Sunnex)