CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 is asking all political candidates who are licensed gun holders to submit their firearms for muzzle taping or even safekeeping to show sincerity and commitment towards peaceful and honest elections.
The call was made yesterday by Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations.
“In line with ensuring peaceful and fair election, di lang pamaagi sa pag conduct og mga police operations among buhaton. But we will also be involved in urging the candidates and the supporters to exercise among themselves nga we will have a peaceful election,” Lawas said.
Lawas said submitting their guns for muzzle taping and depositing them to the police for safekeeping would show the candidate’s commitment to the peaceful and honest conduct of the elections.
“Para lang gyud it will be a gesture in their part nga dili sila gusto nga naay kagubot or any violent incidents during elections,” said Lawas.
Lawas said the regional police headquarters has also directed the different police commanders in Central Visayas to initiate peace rallies and peace covenant among political parties and candidates in their respective areas of responsibility.
“So we expect that in the next coming days to come, dunay mga activities along this line,” said Lawas.
Lawas said they are also expecting that the other sectors in the community are one with them in their goal to have peaceful elections.
Gun ban
As of February 15, the data from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO-7 shows that at least 90 people have been arrested for violating the gun ban since it was implemented last January 10.
Acting regional intelligence chief Superintendent Rex Derilo said they have not stop monitoring the lawless elements despite receiving no threats for the May 9 elections.
Despite the implementation of the Comelec gun ban some people continue to carry firearm and other deadly weapons.
Among the latest person to be arrested for gun ban violation was Joel Gemota, 33. He was caught Wednesday evening in possession of a 23-inch bolo in Barangay Guadalupe, Carcar City.
Police Officer 1 Miguelito Abadillo, desk officer of Carcar City Police Station, said the arrest was made following a complaint from the mother of the suspect after the latter reportedly went berserk.
Abadillo, however, said the complainant did not anymore return to file a formal complaint. But despite the absence of the complainant, the police filed a criminal complaint yesterday for violation of the gun ban. (FREEMAN)