MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police will be limiting the number of security escorts to four per candidate when the campaign period starts for the 2010 national elections, officials said on Wednesday.

Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano, head of Task Force Hope, said that security escorts will be limited to two uniformed personnel and two protective agents. Only authorized security escorts will be exempted from the total gun ban that will be implemented next year.

“Based on our recommendation, there will be two uniformed and two protective agents that will be given to a certain candidate if that candidate will go around. If more than that, then we will recommend for the disqualification of that candidate,” Soriano told reporters.

He added that only uniformed members of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be exempted from the Comelec’s total gun ban.

Meanwhile, PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa said, “I would like to point out that only bonafide members of the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies in proper uniform will be allowed to carry firearms during the election period. However, the firearms must be duly registered as government-owned firearms covered by certificates of registration issued by the PNP.”

Per PNP data, a total of 357,962 firearms are in the hands of both the AFP and the PNP.

Prior to the implementation of the total gun ban next year, Verzosa said several cities in the country have already passed local resolutions implementing a partial gun ban.

In the cities of Zamboanga and Davao, firearms are prohibited in public places and gun holders should first deposit their firearms at a security desk. Other areas that have gun control include Boracay and Baguio City, Verzosa said.

“We are encouraging our unit commanders to coordinate closely with local chief executives so that as early as now they can implement a sort of gun control in their different areas,” Verzosa added.