Gun Ban to Wait for Comelec Announcement – Duterte

(PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police and military not to set up checkpoints imposing gun ban regulation relative to the holding of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections pending an official announcement from the poll body.

Speaking in the public affairs program, “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” he said the Commission on Elections, police and military cannot just arrest anyone based on the law that is unjustified.

Duterte said even the Comelec has not issued an order to that effect since Congress supports the proposal to postpone the SK elections from February 21, 2015 to October 2016.

“Do not enforce the gun ban because until now, we have no official word. You cannot just arrest persons there on a law that is on the edge,” he pointed out.

Duterte urged authorities to wait for the official announcement from the Comelec for the holding of the SK elections, and only then when all pertinent laws must be enforced.

He stressed he will not allow check points just to search for gun ban violations.

Duterte observed the Congress mulls on removing the SK since it is delaying its deliberation on the issue as it wants everyone run on regular elections.

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Local Government adopted the House Bill 5209 postponing the SK elections from February 21 to October 26, 2016, synchronizing with the Barangay Elections.

The lower chamber of Congress approved approved on third and final reading HB 5209. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)