DAVAO CITY — Starting midnight tonight January 9, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be setting up checkpoints across the country to strictly implement the nationwide gun ban as part of the security measures for the local and national elections on May 9 this year.
PNP spokesperson Police Col. Rhoderick Augustus Alba said the checkpoints will be implemented until June 8 this year as part of the 150-day nationwide prohibition on the carrying of firearms.
The gun ban will take effect on January 9 until June 8 next year, the election period for the May 9 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.
In Resolution No. 10728, the poll body said the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons are prohibited during the period.
“No person shall employ, avail him/herself or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not such security personnel or bodyguards are regular members or officers of the PNP, AFP, other law enforcement agencies of the government or from a private security service provider, unless authorized by the Commission, through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC),” the resolution read.
Under this Resolution, all gun-carrying privileges by virtue of PTCFOR issued by the PNP are suspended for the entire duration of the election period. Also suspended are Permits issued by the PNP to transport firearms, ammunition, explosives, public firearms display and exhibits, as well as employment of security personnel for VIPs,” PNP spokesperson Police Col. Rhoderick Augustus Alba said.