Miriam wants probe on gun ban in Iloilo towns

ILOILO CITY – SEN. MIRIAM Santiago wants a regional police chief investigated for allegedly arbitrarily imposing a gun ban in eight Iloilo towns for political reasons.

Santiago has directed the Senate public order committee to conduct the investigation, noting that Western Visayas Police Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol ordered the gun ban without “any investigation, public consultation or inquiry” to see whether it was necessary.

The Inquirer reported that Querol ordered the suspension of permits to carry firearms outside the residence in the towns of Ajut, Sara, Estancia, Balasan, Carles, Concepcion, Batad and San Dionisio of the fifth congressional district of Iloilo province.

This means only members of the police force, military and other law enforcement agencies on official business and wearing the prescribed uniforms are allowed to carry firearms.

Philippine National Police Director General Raul Bacalzo approved the ban, Santiago said.

In a resolution, Santiago quoted her first cousin Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor’s observation that “there was no reported instances of violence on those areas covered by the gun ban.”

In a press statement, Santiago said three other towns—Barotac Viejo, San Rafael and Lemery—are in the same district, but were excluded from the ban.

In opposing the ban, Defensor said it is “baseless since there is no state of lawlessness or rampant criminality in the areas covered.”

Defensor said the gun ban may have been politically motivated since Iloilo’s fifth district is “among the most contested areas in previous elections.”

Santiago said the motive for the gun ban is highly suspicious since it is not backed by any factual basis, not even statistics or media reports.”

She added that “the gun ban is unfair to those who need protection outside their homes, including officials with death threats, and businessmen who are possible targets of robbery and kidnapping.”