Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Keep your guns at home, Ochotorera tells citizens

Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Ramon Martinez Ochotorena has urged citizens to refrain from bringing their firearms, wither license or not, and gun replicas outside their homes or be arrested for violating the nationwide total gun ban ordered by the Comelec.

Ochotorena declared police operations against law breakers are on going through check points set up in strategic areas in the province.

The police director said he will not spare anybody, even fellow policemen and military in this campaigned.

“I am requesting the populace to cooperate and follow the provision of the law,” Ochotorena said.

Comelec Resolution 8714 strictly prohibits the carrying and transport of firearms, explosives and deadly weapons from January 10 to June 9,

Only PNP members, military men, and government security agencies wearing proper uniform and in performance of their official duties are allowed to carry firearms during the 150-day election period.

Ochotorena explained the gun ban will prevent or reduce poll related violence. “This early there are 30-mobile check points scattered around the province and in Pagadian City on the look out for gun ban violator and criminals,” he said.

As of January 12 three persons were arrested and their firearms confiscated Ochotorena told this paper, one in Pagadian City and two in Dumingag.

Ochotorena further said that those firearms license issued by the Firearms and Explosive Division that was signed by the PNP Chief was declared cancelled effective January 10.

During the last 2007 elections Zambosur topped the list of gun ban violators.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION