BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
POLICE BRIGADIER GENERAL Regional Director of PRO-BAR Allan C. Nobleza deputized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) told reporters that we have started implementing the Nationwide gun that started yesterday August 28 in the entire Bangsamoro region to ensure the smooth holding of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE)
The gun ban period i set to begin on August 28 (yesterday) until November 29, coinciding with the election period during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE)
It was learned under Comelec Resolution No 10918, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino is the Chairperson of the Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security who is also assigned to issue Certificate of Authority (CA) to those exempted from the gun ban.
Ferolino explains that unless authorized by the body through a CA , the following acts are prohibited during the election period such as 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 parts, ammunition, and /or components.
These prohibations are considered election offenses 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 they shall be sentence to deportation after serving the corresponding prison term, Ferolino added.
Meantime, per press statements of the COMELEC dated August 27,2023 Re-Updates from the COMELEC enbanc on October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan stated “all in all COMELEC has finished printing 61,839,776 Barangay ballots and 23,254,313 SK ballots for a total of 91,094,089 official ballots intended for the 42,027 Barangays in 148 Cities and 1,468 Municipalities in the country, which are set to be deployed in 37,259 voting Centers.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim who is the Chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) said the BARMM government will braces for the upcoming BSK elections tantamount to upholds to strengthen government coordination with the support of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Marines who are deputized b the COMELEC for a peaceful conduct of the October 23 BSKE.
The main objectives of the Council is to avoid any unwanted violence and to sustain the peace and public safety leading to 2023 BSKE, adding, it is vital in maintaining the safety pf the general public as it engages both the PNP and the AFP and other sectors in all its efforts to enhance peace effort, Ebrahim said.
In an ambush interview by the reporters Nobleza said presently we have set up checkpoint for every municipality like in Cotabato City and other strategic areas which is also supervise by composite teams , the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and Philippine Marines who are deputized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), they are instructed to strictly implement the gun ban.
Cotabato City COMELEC election Officer IV Atty Norpaisa Pagala-Manduyog reminded the people to strictly observe the implementation of gun ban,sayng “sa lahat ng tatakbong barangay officials sa pahahain ng kanilang Certificate of Candidacy 9COC). (All those barangay officials should file their Certificate of Candidacy).
It was reported by police authorities that infront of the Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC) where inside the COMELEC Office formally open for the first day filing of Certificate of Candidacy for barangay and kabataan elections were accompanied by their supporters motrocade that caused heavy traffic.
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