Robredo orders strict gun ban in Zambo

Thursday 1st of December 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 1 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo recently ordered tight and strict implementation of gun ban in Zamboanga City fallowing a powerful explosion Sunday night at the Atilano Pension House in Canelar that killed 3 people and wounded 27 others including a Philippine Information Agency (PIA) employee and several members of his family.

“Dadagdagan po yung paghihigpit ng gunban,” (efforts will be doubled in the implementation of the gun ban) Robredo told local newsmen here during a presscon held recently.

The order is one measure to thwart lawlessness in the city.

Robredo ordered the revocation of Mission Orders (MOs) and Memorandum Receipts (MRs) issued to assets and intelligence agents.

With the renewed gun ban reinforcement, all MOAs and MRs are technically cancelled.

“Based on experience, we can better implement the gun ban if we cancel the MOAs and the MRs,” he said.

The next step to be looked into is the revocation of permits to carry firearms outside residence, Robredo informed.

“Kung hindi pa sapat, pati permit to carry outside residences will also be cancelled,” the secretary was quoted as saying.

Robredo emphasized that the gun ban applies to all individual regardless of status or standing in the community or political arena.

“Walang pinipili yong gun ban (No one is spared from the gun ban),” the DILG secretary clarified.

Robredo also said, security detail for local government officials from the neighboring provinces like Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi will be limited to two (2) per official when in Zamboanga City.

The Cabine official emphasized the renewed implementation of the gun ban will definitely help prevent lawless elements from “sneaking” in improvised explosive devises (IEDs) into the city.

Robredo explained, with the stricter implementation of the gun ban, the public should expect inconveniences and hassles during travels and in getting inside establishments, but all these will redound for the general public’s safety.

“May mga perwisyo pong mararamdaman, we ask for understanding but we need to do this,” he said.

It can be recalled, the implementation of the gun ban in Zamboanga City was revived in 2004, when Mayor Celso Lobregat assumed office. (JPA/ /PIA9-ZBST)