Pangasinan police gears up for Barangay, SK polls
FULL ALERT VS GUNS-FOR-HIRE
THE Pangasinan Police Provincial Police has started preparing for the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections by closely monitoring movements of all suspected guns-for-hire in the province.
P/Col. Jeff Fanged, PPPO director, told The PUNCH, that identifying all possible and suspected guns-for-hire in Pangasinan was on top of the PNP’s checklist, and quoting the Chief PNP, he said these were the “subject of aggressive honest-to-goodness law enforcement operation.”
Fanged said since barangay elections are more chaotic than national elections, it was important that PAGs (private armed groups) are neutralized. “And they are!’ he exclaimed.
He added that maintaining peace and order during the election period cannot be done by the police alone but with the help of barangay officials “who must conduct themselves properly”.
He said a provincial barangay summit will be held before the election, in coordination with the provincial government, to discuss scope of enforcement to ensure the conduct of very peaceful election, particularly, the gun ban from August 28 to November 29, 2023.
Per Commission on Elections, the following acts are prohibited during the election period: 1. To bear, carry, or transport firearms and other deadly weapons outside residence or place of business, and in all public places; 2. To employ, avail, or engage the services of security personnel and bodyguards; and 3. To transport or deliver firearms and explosives, including its part, ammunition, and/or components.
Violation of any of these during election period constitutes an election offense punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years without probation, permanent disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right of suffrage. If the violator is a foreigner, he/she shall be sentenced to deportation after serving the corresponding prison term.
Applications for the issuance of Certificate of Authority for Gun Ban exemption can be filed until November 15, 2023. (Eva Visperas)
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