A Palace official on Sunday underscored the importance of the total gun ban during the election period for the May 2016 national and local polls.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) set the election period from January 10 to June 8, 2016.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. said prohibiting the carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period is one of the most effective ways to ensure the safety of the public as well as the orderly conduct of the election.
“Mahalagang aspeto ng paghahanda para sa isang mapayapa at maayos na eleksyon ang pagpapatupad ng gun ban at nabatid na natin sa mga nakaraang karanasan, lalong-lalo na doon sa pinakahuling pambansang halalan natin ng 2013, na ‘yung pagpigil sa maling paggamit o iligal na paggamit ng armas ang isa sa pinaka-epektibong paraan para matiyak ang seguridad ng mga mamamayan at maging ang kaayusan ng ating halalan,” explained Coloma in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.
Coloma said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines would ensure the strict implementation of the gun ban.
“Kaya masinsing ipatutupad ito ng ating mga kagawad ng PNP at Sandatahang Lakas na deputized ng COMELEC para sa layuning ito ng pagtitiyak sa kaayusan ng halalan sa ating bansa,” the Palace official added.
COMELEC checkpoints that will be manned by the PNP or AFP personnel would be placed at strategic areas all over the country to observe the gun ban. (PCOO/PND)
