Baguio police to strictly implement gun ban in the city

By Carlito C. Dar

Friday 18th of January 2013

BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) - - The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) has assured strict implementation of the Commission on Election (Comelec) gun ban in the country’s summer capital.

BCPO City Director Police Sr. Supt. Jesus Cambay, in an interview, reported that aside from their daily anti-criminality campaign, they are conducting 13 daily checkpoints in various parts of the city since the start of the gun ban last January 13. They are also closely working with the Benguet Provincial Police Office in the strict implementation of the gun ban.

Cambay reported that so far, their checkpoints have not encountered any violations of Comelec Resolution 9561 – A, which imposes a total ban on carrying of firearms or other deadly weapon outside their homes or place of business for the whole duration of the election period from January 13 to June 12 of this year.

“What our checkpoints encountered so far were some violations of Land Transportation Office (LTO) rules and regulations,” he said.

Cambay clarified that retired police or any law enforcement officials or personnel are not exempted from the said gun ban.

“Only officers or personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and officers, personnel or agent of other law enforcement agencies, such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while in proper uniform and while performing actual law enforcement or security functions are exempted to carry firearms,” Cambay said.

He said so far, they have not received any gun ban exemption permit from Comelec, politician or entity to carry firearms or to have security details.

Meantime, Cambay assured that security preparations are all set to ensure peaceful and orderly staging of Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga 2013, which will start with the grand opening parade and drum and lyre competition (elementary level) on February 1 and will run up to March 3.

Cambay reported that aside from the 581 personnel of the BCPO, the Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO-Cor) assured personnel augmentation, as well as the Police Regional Training Center.

The will also be engaging the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, civic volunteer groups and the various universities and colleges in the city through their National Service Training Program, to help in ensuring peace and order during the month-long Panagbenga festival.(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)