More violent polls? Comelec alarmed over shootings amid gun ban

The Commission on Elections on Friday expressed worry over the spate of shooting incidents across the country in spite of the election gun ban implemented by the Philippine National Police.

"Bahagi 'yan nu'ng sinasabi nating trend na nakikita natin na nagiging mas bayolente itong halalan natin," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Athena Imperial's "24 Oras" report on Friday.

According to the election official, the current atmosphere calls for "stricter enforcement of the gun ban" and "better implementation of checkpoint operations."

The gun ban for the May 2019 elections took effect last January 13. The PNP, as of Friday, has seized more than 8,000 firearms, over 7,000 of which are "deadly weapons."

For his part, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac insisted that the current strategy in conducting Comelec checkpoints remains effective in thwarting election-related violence.

"Ang ginagawa nating kapulisan ito'y inilipat-lipat, depende nga sa pagbasa nila sa sitwasyon," he said.

Nevertheless, Banac appealed to the public anew to follow security directives from the PNP to ensure peace and order throughout the campaign and election period.

"Tayo po ay nananawagan sa bawat isa na mag-cooperate po lamang. Unang una po, bawal po ang magdala ng mga patalim, deadly weapon at 'yung mga baril," the spokesperson said.

He added that individuals who have permits to carry weapons are not exempted from the gun ban. "Lahat po 'yan ay kanselado sa ngayon." —Margaret Claire Layug/JST, GMA News