Comelec exempts OVP, senators, congressmen, justices, NBI, etc. from gun ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday announced that gun ban exemptions have been granted to qualified senior government officials, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, and election officers.

Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said the en banc has amended Comelec Resolution No. 10728 which states the prohibition on unauthorized firearms and bodyguards ahead of the election period.

The Comelec resolution bans bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or deadly weapons outside residence or place of business and in all public places from January 9 to June 8, 2022 or for a total of 150 calendar days.

Pangarungan said the amendment aims to expedite and simplify the grant of exemptions to the ban on the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons, as well as ammunitions and explosives or their components, to deserving applicant public officials.

“These officials need to feel secured in performing their duties, free from fear and pressure from others,” the poll chairman said in a news briefing.

“The amendment also allows the Comelec to be more responsive to security concerns in election hotspots by granting the Comelec Chairman the authority to place election areas of concern, already approved by the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC), under Comelec control,” he added.

Under the approved amendment, the Office of the Vice President, senators, congressmen, court justices, cabinet secretaries up to assistant secretaries plus their security detail are now exempted from the election gun ban.

Pangarungan noted that those granted with gun ban exemption must possess the valid License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF), Certificate of Firearms Registration (CFR), valid Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR).

"Provided further, that in no instance shall they carry two (2) firearms,” he further said.

“And provided furthermore, that these public officials shall submit to the CBFSC not later than April 19, 2022 the list of their firearms and qualified security detail,” he added.

The Comelec en banc, voting 4-3, also authorizes Pangarungan to grant gun ban exemptions for “urgent and meritorious cases,” as well as place identified election areas of concern under the poll body's control.

Meanwhile, Pangarungan clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte already has an exemption as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“You know we granted certificate of authority to the AFP. Lahat ng sundalo meron silang authority to carry firearms in the same manner na lahat ng pulis mayroong general authority to carry firearms. Don’t forget that the President is the commander in chief of AFP, so meron nang dating exemption si President Duterte,” he added.—AOL, GMA News