CABANATUAN CITY – Permits to carry firearms outside residence are suspended in this city as the plebiscite period which will last until Dec. 11 started Monday, police said.
But ranking police officials have yet to ascertain if the condition which according to Commission of Elections Resolution No. 9548 is effective “in the whole of the city of Cabanatuan,” covers law enforcers from areas outside this city when transacting business at the provincial police headquarters here.
Senior Supt. Walter Castillejos, Nueva Ecija police director, said they were set to receive a copy of the resolution from the Comelec Monday.
The resolution adopts Section 32 of Republic Act 7166 which provides that “During the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, streets, parks, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.”
“The issuance of firearms licenses shall be suspended during the election period,” it added.
Some policemen aired concern over the rule since the provincial headquarters is located at Burgos Street here.
“Do we need to seek Comelec authorization ?” some policemen asked.
“Only regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the government who are duly deputized in writing by the Commission for election duty maybe authorized to carry and possess firearms during election period,” it added.
Supt. Eli Depra, city police chief, said lawyers would have to discuss the matter soon even as his office will start implementing the ban upon instruction from the Comelec.
The resolution, however, declares that authority to bear, carry or transport firearms issued pursuant to Resolution 8714 in 2009, Resolution 9028 of 2010 “recognized as valid and effective” in relation to the conduct of the plebiscite “provided that the provisions of the grant of the authority are complied with.”
Lawyer Michael Camangeg, city election officer, said the Comelec would request for augmentation forces from the PNP and the Army to beef up security operations during plebiscite period. They would need some 600 government security personnel, he said.
“We would advise the police and the army to look for sources of personnel that we can deploy here in Cabanatuan come plebiscite day, and starting November 5,” Camangeg said.
Those who would need to carry firearms must secure permit from the Comelec, he added.
Camangeg said that the city government has already deposited P11,065,700 to the Comelec main office which forms part of the P20,071,700 budget for plebiscite as determined by the poll body’s operations office.
In its resolutions, the Comelec also announced prohibition on release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds from November 5 to December 1; and liquor ban from November 30 to December 1.
President Aquino III issued Proclamation No.418 on July 4 after Cabanatuan met all the requirements to convert from being component to HUC such as a minimum population of 200,000 as certified by the National Statistics Office, latest income of at least P50 million based on 1991 constant prices as certified by the city treasurer, and an approved resolution of a majority of the members of the sangguniang panlungsod supporting such move which has been fully endorsed by the city mayor.
Founded as a barrio of Gapan in 1750, this city became a municipality in 1780 and was upgraded into a city by virtue of Republic Act No.526 in 1950.
