Eleven people have been arrested in Metro Manila for violating the nationwide election gun ban that took effect Sunday, police said. Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), sid that since the ban took effect midnight police have already held 11 people in Metro Manila alone for carrying their firearms “Mostly they didn't give any reason. They just simply carried their firearms without due regard for the announcement and for the law, which is being implemented by the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” Espina said. The gun ban has been enforced to prevent violence during election period. About 3,500 checkpoints have been set up nationwide, 90 of which are in Metro Manila, Espina said. He said only law enforcers are authorized by law and the Comelec to carry firearms until the ban expires on June 15. “As law enforcers, we should be in proper uniform when bearing and carrying our firearms. And we could not carry this while in civilian attire,” he said. “While on security detail, they should be in proper uniform and they should be duly authorized by the Joint Security Control Center (JSCC). They should carry the proper papers and documents given and handed out by JSCC and duly approved by the Comelec,” he added. Amid fears of human rights violations, Espina assured that authorities will observe proper decorum and human rights provisions while manning the checkpoints. - ABS
