Renew Gun Ban Exemptions, COMELEC Tells Law Enforcers, Security Personnel

In connection with the February 21, 2015 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded law enforcers, security personnel in the country to apply for renewal of their Certificates of Authority / Gun Ban Exemptions.

Gun ban shall take effect during the election period for the SK elections from January 22, 2015 until March 2, 2015.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said that Certificates of Authority / Gun Ban Exemptions issued in connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections and the October 28, 2013 Barangay Elections shall not be recognized anymore for purposes of this year’s SK Elections.

All existing authority granting security personnel or body guards are likewise revoked, he added, except the regular security complement of the President, Vice President, Senators, Congressmen and Governors, All local Elective Officials (except Barangay Officials), Justices, Judges, Cabinet Secretaries, Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission on Elections, Chief of Staff of the AFP and PNP Major Service Commanders, Director generals and Senior Officers of the PNP.

All security detail deployed from members of the PNP, AFP and other law enforcement agencies shall be recalled on 22 January 2015, Jimenez furthered.

New applications should be submitted by those seeking authority/exemption on the ban on bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons and on the employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or body guards, he said.

The COMELEC has constituted the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) for purposes of acceptance of applications and issuance of Certificates of Authority / Gun Ban Exemptions.

www.comelec.gov.ph