ILOILO City – There will be a gun ban for one month and a week beginning April 14, the start of the election period for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.
Also this Saturday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start accepting certificates of candidacy (COCs), according to Regional Director Dennis Ausan.
All permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) are suspended until May 21.
The elections are on May 14.
According to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), only police officers and government troops in proper uniform are allowed to carry firearms.
Private security agencies and other government law enforcement agencies should get gun ban exemptions from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) or their personnel with guns would be arrested, said Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, regional police director.
“Nobody is allowed to carry firearms outside of their residences without exemption from the Comelec,” stressed Binag.
To further ensure peace and order during the election period, there would be police checkpoints.
Policemen manning checkpoints must be in their proper uniform, said Binag.
The checkpoint itself must be well-lighted and must have the visible sign “Stop PNP Checkpoint,” he added.
“We appeal to the public. Please cooperate with us. Expect more police personnel on the road. We will enhance our presence,” said Binag.
Meanwhile, Comelec Region 6 director Ausan advised interested candidates to file their COCs early.
“Do not wait for the last hour,” he said.
They could secure COCs from Comelec even before the start of the filing period, added Ausan.
Comelec will be accepting COCs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The last day of filing of COCs is April 20.
While interested candidates can secure forms from local Comelec offices, they have another convenient option – download the form from the official Comelec website, http://www.comelec.gov.ph.
There won’t be an extension for COC filing, said Ausan.
Comelec is requiring each candidate to file six copies of his or her COC. These will be for the main Comelec office, municipal or city election office, provincial office, the candidate, and for the notary public.
In the last barangay and SK election in 2013, Comelec asked for only three COCs from the candidates.
Ausan reminded candidates to be careful when accomplishing their COCs. He recalled previous unfortunate incidents such as candidates for barangay captain submitting forms for barangay councilman.
“They need to be very cautious kon ano form gamiton. Kon kaisa ang first copy and ang subsequent copies lain nga form,” said Ausan.
Candidates must submit with their COCs their latest photos and one set of documentary stamps.
The COCs must be notarized, too, said Ausan./PN
