Provincial Director Senior Supt. Anthony Obenza of the Philippine National Police warned last week all the politicians and the public regarding the implementation of the election gun ban which will start tomorrow January 10. The ban is good until June 9, 2010. Obenza said under Comelec Resolution 8714, individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms while each candidate is only allowed to have two body guards. During the gun ban period, the Philippine National Police and the Comelec will conduct check points every night in every municipality. Only members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines , Security Guard, and other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation are exempted from the gun ban, but they are required by the Comelec resolution to be in full uniform when bringing gun.

Even judges, justices and prosecutors are not exempted from the Comelec resolution. Obenza explained that during the election period all body guards and PNP personnel used as escorts to all politicians and non politicians,it must be understood that there deployment to the politician will be revoked. The body guard or PNP escort will be allowed to return to there boss if the politician can apply and pay the corresponding filling fee to the regional joint security control desks in their respective region. The PNP office will evaluate and make a threat assessment of all the requests of the politician before sending their recommendation to the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel Region 7 after paying the corresponding filling fee in the amount of P5,000. During the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapon in public places, including building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec. The issuance of the firearms licenses shall be suspended during the election period.