PNP chief: Random checkpoints begin to enforce gun ban

Hours after the gun ban officially started early Sunday, Philippine National Police chief, Director General Alan Purisima said several checkpoints have been activated to ensure the enforcement of the Comelec gun ban. Also he said, "Magkakaroon po tayo ng iba't ibang hakbang para ipatupad itong gun ban na ipinag-utos po sa atin ng Comelec." "We will be setting up more checkpoints, we will be conducting more operations against illegal firearms and we will be checking all the firearm licenses that were not renewed," he said on  "News TV Live" Sunday morning. The gun ban formally started early Sunday and will end on June 12, 2013. Checkpoints Purisima said PNP's regional police offices were ordered to set up random checkpoints within their respective areas. "Hindi po natin ina-announce kung saan po natin ilalagay ang checkpoints dahil nga po, kapag ia-announce natin, syempre, 'yung mga kriminal na nakikinig sa mga radyo at telebisyon ay malalaman po nila kung saan sila dadaan," he said. According to Purisima, there are rules to follow in setting up checkpoints, these are:

Election-related incidents Despite earlier reports of government officials being killed in the last few months, Purisima said these cases cannot be considered yet as election-related incidents. "Ang tinatawag po nating election-related violence ay nangyayari po tuwing election period," he said. "'Yung mga sinasabing mga violent incidents na nangyari noong mga nakaraang buwan, ay hindi pa po classified as election-related violence," he added. Also he noted that some of the victims of violent incidents in past months were elected government officials. Meanwhile, Purisima said they will continue their fight against private armed groups. "Ina-account po natin ang lahat private armed groups na nasa listahan natin at bina-validate po natin," aniya. Don't bring firearms outside house Purisima reiterated PNP's warning against bringing of firearms outside residences. "'Yung sa gun ban po, bawal ang lahat na magdala ng baril doon sa labas ng kanilang mga residence, maliban na lamang po sa mga nabigyan ng pahintulot ng Comelec," he said. Only law enforcement agency personnel who are in uniform and on duty will be allowed to carry firearms outside their residences, Purisima added. These include members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation. As for personal bodyguards, he said they can carry firearms only if allowed by the Comelec. "Ang mga pagre-request po ng mga escort ay dumadaan lang po sa amin at ibinibigay po natin sa Comelec for approval," he said. — Mandy Fernandez /LBG, GMA News