Philippines begins to enforce gun ban
Source: Agencies |
January 11, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ABOUT 50,000 Philippine policemen began enforcing a five-month ban on carrying guns in public yesterday in hopes of avoiding bloodshed in the buildup to May elections, arresting 18 violators at checkpoints across the country.
Elections in the Philippines in the past were often marred by violence and fraud. In the 2007 local and congressional elections, 108 people were killed in election-related violence, including 15 candidates, national police spokesman Chief Superintendant Leonardo Espina said.
Last week National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa said 558 of the country's 1,634 cities and municipalities have been identified as areas of concern and will get added attention from security forces ahead of the national and local polls, which include a vote for president.
In the country's worst political violence, 57 people on the way to register a candidate for the May 10 election were massacred last November in the country's volatile south, allegedly by a rival clan of the one registering the candidate.
Gun bans are common practice before elections, but this year police will not issue any exemptions to gun owners due to security concerns sparked by that massacre.
"The main tool in committing crimes during elections are guns," Espina said. "Take it out and you minimize the violence."
Elections in the Philippines in the past were often marred by violence and fraud. In the 2007 local and congressional elections, 108 people were killed in election-related violence, including 15 candidates, national police spokesman Chief Superintendant Leonardo Espina said.
Last week National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa said 558 of the country's 1,634 cities and municipalities have been identified as areas of concern and will get added attention from security forces ahead of the national and local polls, which include a vote for president.
In the country's worst political violence, 57 people on the way to register a candidate for the May 10 election were massacred last November in the country's volatile south, allegedly by a rival clan of the one registering the candidate.
Gun bans are common practice before elections, but this year police will not issue any exemptions to gun owners due to security concerns sparked by that massacre.
"The main tool in committing crimes during elections are guns," Espina said. "Take it out and you minimize the violence."
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