PNP-8 to fully implement gun ban, dismantle partisan armed groups
CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte — Police Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Rey Lañada said he would fully implement the total gun ban policy as well as the dismantling of partisan armed groups operating in the region.
This way, there would be a peaceful and orderly election in the region this May 10, said the police regional director in a press conference Friday afternoon at the regional police headquarters.
The implementation of the total gun ban as well as the dismantling of partisan or private armed groups in the region was in consonance to an earlier directive issued by the Commission on Elections and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno as part of the preparations to ensure that the May 10, 2010 elections would not only be orderly and peaceful but credible.
As part of the implementation of the total gun ban, various checkpoints would be established across the region as well as the implementation of the “Oplan: Bakal” and “Oplan: Sita,” Lañada added.
Police visibility would also be strengthened, he said, adding that the issuance of permit to carry firearms among private individuals would also be suspended effective today
“Starting on January 10 up to June 9, the Philippine National Police here in the region will perform on its job in accordance with the regulation of the Commission on Elections (which include the imposition of the) total gun ban and the dismantling of partisan armed groups operating in the region,” the police regional director said.
“And I ask our friends and the citizenry to cooperate with us to ensure that we can achieve our goal which is an honest, orderly and peaceful elections in May 10,” Lañada added.
On the full implementation of the total gun ban, carrying firearms, unless warranted, would be prohibited even to those who are members of the organization, he said.
Personnel of the organization who carries a firearm must be on duty and in proper uniform, Lañada said.
He issued a stern warning that a violation to this policy by a member of the organization would be dealt accordingly saying that he would even personally arrest the violator if necessary.
“And I also directed them to remain always apolitical and non-partisan. A police chief officer will be relieved if he will be found out to be supporting a particular candidate,” he said.
The police regional director also said that the order from their high headquarters to dismantle any existing partisan armed groups would also be accomplished.
“But we are still validating on the reports on the existence of alleged partisan armed groups in the region,” he said.
But based on their initial report, there are about six partisan armed groups which are operating in the region. Lañada, however, declined to provide further details on these partisan armed groups.
“But as per directive to us, we will dismantle them in due time,” Lañada said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
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