Gun Ban in the Philippines to take effect on January 13, 2013
As the Election draws near, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced that gun ban would take effect from January 13 to June 12, 2013. The gun ban would prohibited ordinary citizens from bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or deadly weapons outside his residence or place of business and in public places regardless even if they have acquire a licence to possess or carry firearms.
Under the Resolution No. 9561-A, the ban would also include airguns, airsoft guns or any replicas of firearms. Bladed weapons, grenades and other explosive except for Pyrotechnics are also ban during the Election period. Only members of the Philippine National Police, Armed forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agency within the government.
Running Candidates are also prohibited to enlist protection from members of Police or Armed forces not unless authorized and assigned by COMELEC. Under the Omnibus Election Code, any person violating the the gun ban and found carrying firearms would be committing an election offence.
Just days before the gun ban, several firearm related incidents has taken lives of several Filipinos. Several people were victims of stray bullets in the midst of the New Year Celebration. 2 Children were shot during the New Year and were died shortly after. Just last week, a former low level politician named Ronaldo Bae went on a shooting spree killing 7 people and injuring 11 other. Authorities are now investigating the possibility that the shooter was on the influence of prohibited drugs during the shoot out.
People are now looking into implementing the total gun ban not only during elections but also during holidays while some would like to review existing rules and have them implement them in a more strict manner.
