Comelec, PNP, AFP to discuss early gun ban in provinces affected by investment scams

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities are set to discuss next week the particulars in the implementation of an early gun ban in the provinces affected by the multi-billion peso pyramid scam.

An early gun ban in the area was proposed due to the “volatile” situation there, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters during the 2012 Defense and Sporting Arms Show at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Commissioner Elias Yusoph, the chairman of the committee on the gun ban, said a command conference on December 5 will be held in preparation for the implementation of an early gun ban in several areas in Mindanao.

Attending the conference are officials from Comelec, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Among the areas covered by the early firearms ban, he said, are Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur.

Comelec earlier said the total gun ban in the rest of the country will kick off January 13.

“. . . because the situation is volatile . . . they [victims] have been investing so much, and this has affected peace and order in those provinces,” Yusoph said, adding that the implementation will likely start, also, within the first week of December.

Reports had it that Aman Futures got up to P12 billion from 15,000 victims, mostly from Mindanao and Visayas.

The Rasuman Group, on the other hand, got around P1.13 billion from 323 claimants as of August 21.

Yusop said those exempted from the gun ban include regular members of the PNP and AFP, and some other agencies “performing law enforcement and security functions” provided that they come in their prescribed uniforms.

“The penalty is provided under the Omnibus Election Code and it is not subject for provision . . . and if convicted they are barred perpetually from holding public office and they are also barred from holding a license permit to carry firearms,” Yusoph said.