January 14 is
the start of COMELEC gun ban
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January
12, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – The
Commission on Elections announced that the election gun ban will start on
January 14 and will last till June 13, 2007.
The gun ban is being imposed
in order to curb political violence during the election season, the Commission
on Election officials in the Region informed.
COMELEC said that violence
usually escalates during the election season. It could be recalled that during
the last election, a mayoralty candidate in Hindang, Leyte was killed. Recent
killings include that of the assassination of Congressman Bersamin of Abra which
was believed to be politically motivated.
During the election ban,
politicians and their personal securities are not allowed to carry firearms. If
needed, police securities may be assigned to them, the COMELEC said.
The gun ban excludes the law
enforcement community and the military. However these peacekeeping forces are
required to be in uniform when carrying their service firearms.
Security agencies which are
tasked of guarding the transport of money to and from the bank are required to
apply for exemption from the ban from COMELEC.
The public is encouraged to be
vigilant and help insure peace and security during the election season by
reporting violations to the gun ban to the COMELEC.
Those concerned are also
called upon to adhere to the election gun ban.
Furthermore, COMELEC informed
that it is ready already for the filing of candidacies for the senatorial seats
which will start on January 15 up to February 12 and up to March 29 for the
filing of the application for candidacy for the congressional and local
positions.
The prospective senatorial
candidates are required to file their certificate of candidacies at the COMELEC
Central Office. The prospective congressional candidates are required to file
their candidacies at the COMELEC provincial offices in their respective areas
while the local candidates may file their certificate of candidacies at their
respective municipal COMELEC offices.
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