PNP eyes early implementation of gun ban for 2025 polls

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the early implementation of the gun ban to lessen election-related violence during the 2025 national polls, according to a GMA Integrated News report on Wednesday.

The election period is set begin on January 12, 2025.

In response, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said a gun ban may only be implemented during the campaign period, but the poll body understand the PNP's intentions.

“Tandaan po natin na nasa puder ng Comelec ang gun ban at nakatali ito sa election period, at kung kelan ma declare ang election period, dun po iiral ang gun ban,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told the media.

“Naiintidan namin na maganda ang layunin ng PNP pero kelangan natin unawain na ang gun ban ay hindi lang para pigilan natin ang pagdadala ang baril. May maapektuhan na industriya,” he added.

(We must remember the gun ban is under Comelec jurisdiction and tied to the election period. And when the election period is declared, that is when the gun ban is implemented. We understand the good intentions of the PNP but let us understand that a gun ban does not only prohibit handling firearms. Some industries will be affected.)

The gun ban also covers controlled chemicals and explosives.

However, Laudiangco said the Comelec en banc will “seriously consider” the adjustment of the gun ban implementation period should there be a recommendation.

Adjustment of police deployment

The PNP also said it has prepared the deployment of its personnel in election hot spots.

Police regional directors will be shuffled while PNP personnel with relatives involved in politics will be relocated to avoid conflicts of interests..

PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil earlier warned police personnel not to be used by politicians in the upcoming elections  —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News