Watchdog seeks gun ban exemptions

MANILA, Philippines - An anti-crime watchdog is appealing to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to grant gun ban exemptions to potential crime victims.

Teresita Ang-See, founder of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), yesterday said crime statistics are likely to increase during the election period because policemen will be busy with poll-related tasks, among them securing political sorties and candidates.

The Comelec had imposed the gun ban for the May 2013 polls starting last Jan. 13.

“The MRPO requested both the Comelec and the PNP to grant exemptions to persons who are vulnerable to crimes,” said Ang-See, adding that the MRPO has over 100 members, all of whom became victims of kidnap-for-ransom syndicates.

Ang-See said that the police escorts of 10 of their members have also been recalled, making the members vulnerable to criminal attacks once again.

With the gun ban, all permits to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFORs) are considered suspended.

But Ang-See said that while law-abiding citizens obey the gun ban, criminals might take advantage of the situation, knowing that their potential victims are unarmed and law enforcers have other priorities.

“Responsible gun holders should be allowed to carry firearms. It would be a crime deterrent, potential victims are vulnerable,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is strictly monitoring the transshipment of loose firearms at various seaports in the country.

“The order is for us to be vigilant, to make sure that no vessel would be used for that purpose - transporting loose firearms... If there is a checkpoint on land, then there should be a checkpoint at the seaports as well,” PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said yesterday. - With Evelyn Macairan