PNP, COMELEC open application for gun ban, security escorts exemption

The National Police will be helping the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) assess threats to people, including political aspirants, applying for an exemption to the ban on firearms and security escorts in the coming election, its chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said.

“The PNP will assist in the issuance of threat assessment and will endorse the approval to grant applications, through the Joint Security and Control Center, if it is deemed urgent and necessary,” Carlos said.

Carlos made the remark as the PNP announced that applications for the exemption will be accepted starting tomorrow (Wednesday) until May 25, 2022.

Applications may be done online through the COMELEC’s official website.

Under the COMELEC Resolution 10728, the poll body set regulations on the ban on bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons.

That resolution also prohibits the employment, availment, or engagement of services of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period from January 9 to June 8, 2022.

All political aspirants will be informed through a letter that their security detail will be recalled, Carlos said.

Recalled police security escorts are programmed to undergo the VIP Security and Protection Refresher Course, he added.

Exempted from the recall of security detail are the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, secretary of national defense, secretary of the interior and local government, the chairman and commissioners of COMELEC, the AFP chief of staff, major service commanders of the AFP, the PNP chief, and senior officers of the PNP.