By DELIA BAGNI with reports from JOSEPH ZAMBRANO/PIA
www.nordis.net

LA TRINIDAD — According to Police Regional Office –Cordillera (PRO-COR) Regional Director Benjamin B. Magalong, police force Cordillera will strictly monitor and implement the Comelec total gun ban resolution in connection with the May 13 elections this year which will start on January 13 until June 12, 2013.

Under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), it is considered an election offense for any person to carry firearms outside his residence or place of business during the designated election period.

Magalong said that permits to carry firearms outside of the residence (PTCFOR) will be held in abeyance for the said period based on the Commission on Elections(Comelec) Resolution No. 9561-A.

Resolution No. 9561-A states the rules and regulations on the ban from bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons, and the employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period for the May 13, 2013 automated synchrinized national and local elections.

Magalong states that the gun ban which starts on January 13 until June 12 will cover law enforcers in uniform and undercover agents.

However, the Comelec order exempts personnel of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Investigation and Customs Police Divisions of the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Economic Zone Authority police forces, Government Guard Forces, Investigation, and Intelligence Divisions of the Bureau of Immigration and Land Transportation Office Law Enforcement Service who are on duty provided that, when in the possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officer must be in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall remain visible at all times, and in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the Commission.

Aside from the PTCFOR, Mission Order (MO), Letter Order (LO), and Acknowledge-ment Receipts (ARE) issued by the Chief PNP or his duly authorized representative or any other head of government law enforcement agencies are all suspended.

Magalong said that check points will be placed in strategic areas to strictly implement the election gun ban. He added that more or less 11 checkpoints are already inplace within the region. # nordis.net