The Police Regional Office-Mimaropa (PRO-Mimaropa) reminded the public on Sunday that the gun ban is being implemented now that the election period has taken place.
During the regional kick-off of the simultaneous Comelec checkpoint operation in this city, PRO-Mimaropa Regional Director Tomas Apolinario Jr. said violators will be punished by fines or imprisonment or even both as mandated by the Omnibus Election Code.
Under Section 32 of Republic Act No. 7166, ‘no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission,’ during election period.
Drivers, he added, must be ready to present their licenses and Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration (ORCR) of their vehicles when requested at the checkpoint.
For his part, Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Director Thomas Frias Jr. assured that that the PNP and the Philippine Army are coordinating to maintain public safety.
Apolinario and Frias were accompanied by Calapan City Election Officer Sonny Ramos, City Police Chief Efraim Camara and 203rd Deputy Army Brigade Commander Antonio Lastimado during the activation of checkpoint operations. (Luis T. Cueto/DN/PIA-Mimaropa/Calapan)
