The whole of Cebu will be under a total gun ban from May 4 to 11, 2026 as the province hosts leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and delegates to the ASEAN Summit.
The ban, essentially, suspends the following:
- Permit to transport firearms for gun club members
- Permit for gun manufacturers, dealers, and repair services
- Permit to carry firearms outside of residence
- Permit to transport and purchase explosives and explosive ingredients
The ban also shuts down all firing ranges temporarily and suspends licenses in the manufacturing of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
During this period, only personnel of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and personnel of other law enforcement agencies on official duty are allowed to carry firearms.
They must be wearing their prescribed uniforms.
Violators of the ban may be arrested and may face charges.
SECURITY GROUPS
Several days before the summit, personnel tasked to secure the summit were sent off formally in Lapu-Lapu City, which is situated in Mactan Island, where the main events of the summit will take place.
Mactan Island is also where the international airport is located.
The security personnel include at least 7,000 uniformed service personnel and force multipliers, as well as 2,850 logistical assets.
PNP Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., said no security threat has surfaced, so far, but they will continue to be on alert for threats that may come from local terrorist groups, communist rebels, and criminal gangs.
On May 4, security forces participated in a simulation exercise at the Liberty Shrine in Mactan Island on a supposed bomb threat.
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
One of the events taking place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders Summit is the inaugural ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit.
The summit is expected to gather up to 200 senior representatives from government, business, development institutions, and civil society to discuss issues, including sustainable agriculture, sustainable trade and supply chains, circular economy, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) leadership, and ASEAN-EU green cooperation.
Among those participating is Susan Santos de Cárdenas, founding president and CEO of the International Alliance of Regenerative Tourism (IART), the organization confirmed.
Founded as the global evolution of the Society for Sustainable Tourism, Asia's sustainable tourism pioneer, IART advances regenerative activation for destinations, hospitality, MICE, communities, and academia.
“Across ASEAN and beyond, destinations and enterprises do not need more declarations. They need activation pathways, grounded leadership, and implementation systems that restore value to people, place, and planet,” Cárdenas said in a press statement.
“IART is ready to work with governments, funders, chambers, private sector leaders, and development partners who are serious about moving from commitments to concrete regenerative action,” she added.
