Comelec to extend Gun Ban to November 2010

it looks like my comrade airsofters will be doing sighs all over again as the Commission on Elections is planning to extend the Gun ban for the year as their is the upcoming barangay elections, it is said airsofters will be given a breather of 2 months as that the so-called gun ban will commence on September 2010. but their are some whereabouts that there will be a total gun ban and that the gun ban from may will be made straight to November and the 2 months breather for airsofters and gun enthusiasts will not be realized.

according to an article from Inquirer South Luzon:

"Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 17:46:00 03/06/2010


STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna, Philippines—The implementation of the total gun ban might continue even after the May elections, if the existing prohibition on private individuals from carrying firearms as imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would result in a significant decline in the number of gun-related crimes, a police official said Friday.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Añonuevo, Calabarzon police director, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) might allow the gun ban to continue in accordance with the National Firearm Control Program set by the PNP. The gun ban is supposed to end on June 9, also the end of the country’s election period for the year."

another article from a government-moderated blogsite:

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to hold the 2nd National Gun Control Summit before the end of the month to discuss whether or not to extend the nationwide gun ban, which will expire on June 9.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the summit was also meant to find out the sentiment and concerns of the different sectors of society on gun control.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed the nationwide gun ban from Jan. 10 to June 9 in connection with the May 10 national and local elections. The Comelec and the PNP assessed that nationwide gun ban was one of the major factors for the most peaceful and orderly elections in the Philippine history.

“It will be one interesting topic. We will invite all of you, we may even use the summit in looking for effective measures in protecting yourself (other than carrying firearms),” Verzosa said.

Verzosa said representatives from gun owners’ groups, Gunless Society, firearms dealers, the National Bureau of Investigation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and media organizations will be invited to the summit.

Earlier, Verzosa revealed plans of permanently suspending the issuance of permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) even after the election period because of the apparent success of the total gun ban in curbing crimes. “But we have to consult all the stakeholders,” he said.

The PNP held the first gun summit in May 2009, after which the PNP leadership recommended to President Arroyo to grant amnesty to holders of loose firearms.

The President ordered the PNP to implement the gun amnesty program from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, 2009 as the PNP estimated that there were about 1.1 million loose firearms nationwide. The PNP said 97 percent of loose firearms are used in committing crimes.

it seems that I can smell another fishy scent of incompetence in our government institutions, such acts is also another way of curbing democracy among disciplined gun owners, airsofters, and gun enthusiasts, they pay and waste thousands of pesos just to get permits, then this institusions just do some stupid unplanned moves. It is really annoying how these people think that they are better than us and feel like they should dictate their thoughts and plans on the population, just because they have access to media or they have badges and have seats around this places. well still those pnp and comelec top brasses just think that election related violences are also made by lawless persons, well they better think again as most also is a sign of a big mistrust of the people to the current police institution. 

as one responsible gun user quoted;

"Ang husay naman ni Gen. Espina mag analisa, ikumpara ba naman ang industrialisadong bansa na tulad ng Japan, ang pilipinas, Inay kopo, alam kaya nya sinasabi nya? kaylangan pa ba ikumpara ang sitwasyon natin sa kaunlaran ng japan na ang mamamamayan ng hapon ay dina kaylangan gumawa ng krimen dahil sa kaayusan ng pamumuhay nila at disiplina dahil sa yaman din ng kultura nila, na dito satin ay hati hati ang paniniwala ng mga sektor at rehyon dulot ng oligarkismo kaya karamihan ay nagiging utak pulbura, hangosan sa kapangyarihan at kabuhayan kaya lahi sa lahi ay naglalaban laban sa pamamagitan ng illegal na armas, siguro naman karapatan natin mga matitininong mamamayan na pangalagaan ang buhay natin na makapagdala ng proteksyon dahil sila mismo kapulisan ay di sapat ang kakayanan labanan ang krimen dulot na rin ng pulitika sa pamahalaan natin tapos ipapagkatiwala o iaasa pa natin ang kaligtasan natin sa kanila? parang sila pa nga ang kinatatakutan kung minsan." 

well to my comrades and friends who are airsofters, lets hope and pray this so-called extension must be dealt with properly, and to PNP may this serve as a lesson...