Criminals do not follow it: No to gun ban - Tom

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said he was against a gun ban in the city as part of security measures implemented by the Philippine National Police for the Sinulog festivities.

That is why despite the start of the ban yesterday, he would allow gun owners to bring their firearms around if there is a threat during the celebration.

"Let me put it this way:  If you are a licensed firearm holder, you have to undergo even a psychological test, there's heavy screening that means you have no record, so why are you going to disarm these people?” he said.

"If I had my way, they can carry their arms outside," he told reporters who sought for his comment on the policy.

He said the gun ban is unfair to law-abiding, responsible gun owners, considering that criminals are not inclined to obey it.

"I'm against that policy of disarming the population. Kahibawo mo ang mga terorista, ang mga badlongon, dili sila mosunod sa orders, ang mosunod mga law-abiding (citizens). Nabali," the mayor said.

He said that if there is a threat during the Sinulog, he would allow gun holders to carry their firearms around for safety purposes.

"If there is a threat, I will allow firearm holders to carry their guns around. Then you see it's harder for terrorists to move in…. People who follow the law are not our enemies, so why you have to disarm them?" Osmeña said.

He, however, he has no plans to raise his stand with the PNP, saying he would leave the matter to the organization.

"I don't like talking to the police. Sila na magbuot niana.  Bahala na sila," he said.

In a separate interview, City Councilor David Tumulak, City Council chairman on public order and safety as well as deputy mayor over police matters, said the gun ban was to ensure that no one carries a gun during Sinulog festivities.

"That's part of the preparation sa atoang PNP para sad pag-inform sa public, (including) katong mga responsible gun holders, nga to comply kay mas maayo man gud nga masiguro sa mga devotees nga walay armas ang mga tawo except lang sa law enforcement agencies.  So mao nay tumong nato, walay armas, para sa paglikay lang gyud ba nga dunay dagkong mga kasamok," he told The FREEMAN.

"Warning pud ni sa mga (owners of) unlicensed firearm nga gawas nga mag-atubang sila'g kaso sa way lisensya sa armas, mag atubang pud sila'g violation sa gun ban…. Gisiguro man gud sa kapulisan nga ang maglakaw-lakaw puro ra gyud na military, dili na sila magdungan bantay ba kung kinsa pa toy dunay armas.  It takes time, it takes effort also to investigate kinsa ning mga tawhana," he added.

Only law enforcement agencies personnel are allowed to carry their licensed firearms, during the gun ban, which is in effect until January 18.

And even if there are no reports about possible threats to the Sinulog, Tumulak appealed for the public to be extra alert.

"Mag ampo lang gyud ta nga magpabiling malinawon ang atong siyudad kay as of this time walay major threat nga na receive sa Cebu City. Pero wa ni nagpasabot nga mokompiyansa ta.  Dapat ma-sustain gihapon nato (ang level of security).  Seven days nalang," he said.

Meanwhile, despite what Osmeña said, Police Regional Office-7 Director Noli Taliño said the gun ban in Cebu is a security measure for the upcoming Sinulog.

"We are preventing dito firearm-related incidents. Pero, sabi ko nga, may counter measures tayo-checkpoint and yong mga police natin na nasa kalsada.  Ang concern natin is security, and this is for the celebration of Sinulog. Wala tayong ibang intention dito," he said.

It was PRO-7 that requested Camp Crame for the suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside of residence in the whole Province of Cebu and the chartered cities of Mandaue City, Lapu-lapu City, and Cebu City.

In a memorandum, PNP Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa last Saturday granted the request for a period of 10 days for the "Sinulog Festival 2017".

Taliño said only members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and of all other uniform services performing official duties are allowed to carry firearms.

 "This is part of security preparations to ensure that the Sinulog… would be free from firearm-related incidents and to ensure safety of the populace, as well as local and foreign tourists," read the memorandum.

Taliño said there is so far nothing to worry in terms of security of the Sinulog, but added that they were not discounting the possibility of an attack.

"Walang imminent threat… walang direct and specific threat, but nandiyan ang pangamba natin sa terrorist group sa pusposang operation ng AFP and PNP sa southern Philippines, especially namatay yung leader ng Maute group.  So any place in the country pwede mangyari ang terrorist attack, especially in places of convergence," he said.

For this reason, the Cebu City Police Office appealed for gun owners to help authorities carry out the safety measures for the Sinulog by observing with the gun ban.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, CCPO director, stressed that even owners of licensed guns with permits to carry outside of residence are covered by the prohibition to carry firearms.

He said the police are strictly implementing the gun ban by setting up more checkpoints in different strategic areas of the city. — Odessa O. Leyson, Mylen P. Manto, Michael Vencynth H. Braga (FREEMAN)