No less than an officer of the law was among the first to be arrested for violating the Commission on Elections’ gun ban for the Oct. 25 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections.
The violator, initially identified as Roderick Manselido of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), was caught with a cal-.45 pistol at a checkpoint in Caloocan City before dawn.
“As they say, the law may be harsh but it is still the law. Besides, we have made announcements before the start of the gun ban. Strictly speaking, all who are carrying firearms but are not authorized to do so must be arrested while the gun ban is in effect," Philippine National Police (PNP)chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Bacalzo, who inspected checkpoints in Metro Manila shortly after the gun ban went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, said he plans to inspect checkpoints in the provinces in the coming days.
The Comelec imposed a gun ban effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday for the Oct. 25 elections, in a bid to minimize election-related violence. The ban ends November 10.
On the other hand, the PNP reminded its regional and provincial commanders to at least supervise and monitor the checkpoints.
“The PNP Chief has ordered all station, provincial and regional commanders to supervise and monitor the checkpoints," PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said in a separate interview on dzBB.
“Ito ay magiging opportunity ng PNP, AFP at Comelec para gawin ang lahat para maging maayos at matahimik at kapanipaniwala ang barangay at SK elections (This is an opportunity for the police, military and Comelec to do everything to ensure the elections are peaceful and orderly)," he added. — LBG
