Fake permits to carry firearms are proliferating particularly in the country's airports and seaports despite the Commission on Elections-imposed nationwide gun ban in connection with the May 10, 2010 elections.
Chief Superintendent Joey Yuchongco of the Customs Police, said security officers elevated the alert in all the airports and seaports nationwide following the rampant falsification of gun ban exemption documents.
"We have directed our district commanders to strictly enforce the law on carrying firearms. They have to examine if the guns are really covered by real permits from Comelec," Yuchongco said in an interview.
He said exemption papers should not only be signed by Elections Commissioner Lucenito Tagle but also by two more members of the Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP), namely, Chief Superintendent Arnold Revilla and Brig. Gen. Rolando Hautea Jr. of the PNP and AFP, respectively.
"Three signatures should appear on the permit (to carry firearms) to determine whether or not it is fake. If it was only signed by Tagle alone, we can say it is spurious document," the official stressed.
It was recalled that Malinao Mayor Avelino Ceriola of Albay, Bicol province was recently arrested by authorities for carrying unlicensed .45 caliber pistol at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
He presented a permit to carry firearms purportedly issued by Comelec but it was found to be fake by investigators after examining his exemption papers.
Promptly, the National Police said it will ask the Comelec to disqualify Ceriola for allegedly violating the Omnibus Election Code.
Yuchongco said he received reports that the manufacture of fake documents to exempt any personalities from the gun ban is worth between P5,500 to P7,500.
Chief Superintendent Joey Yuchongco of the Customs Police, said security officers elevated the alert in all the airports and seaports nationwide following the rampant falsification of gun ban exemption documents.
"We have directed our district commanders to strictly enforce the law on carrying firearms. They have to examine if the guns are really covered by real permits from Comelec," Yuchongco said in an interview.
He said exemption papers should not only be signed by Elections Commissioner Lucenito Tagle but also by two more members of the Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP), namely, Chief Superintendent Arnold Revilla and Brig. Gen. Rolando Hautea Jr. of the PNP and AFP, respectively.
"Three signatures should appear on the permit (to carry firearms) to determine whether or not it is fake. If it was only signed by Tagle alone, we can say it is spurious document," the official stressed.
It was recalled that Malinao Mayor Avelino Ceriola of Albay, Bicol province was recently arrested by authorities for carrying unlicensed .45 caliber pistol at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
He presented a permit to carry firearms purportedly issued by Comelec but it was found to be fake by investigators after examining his exemption papers.
Promptly, the National Police said it will ask the Comelec to disqualify Ceriola for allegedly violating the Omnibus Election Code.
Yuchongco said he received reports that the manufacture of fake documents to exempt any personalities from the gun ban is worth between P5,500 to P7,500.
Concealed handgun permits for licensed, trained citizens: A policy that is saving lives (Independence issue paper)
