MILF covered by gun ban rules, says Comelec official

Election Commissioner Elias Yusoph. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Even if it has signed a framework peace agreement with the Philippine government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not exempted from the five-month election gun ban, according to an election official.

Election Commissioner Elias Yusoph said on Monday the group was not among those exempted from the ban on carrying firearms outside residences and in places of business during the election period.

“In so far as our resolution is concerned, it covers everybody [including] the MILF,” said Yusoph, who chairs the committee on the ban on firearms and security personnel, in an interview with reporters on Monday.

The gun ban took effect on January 13 and will be implemented until June 12, the end of the election period.

Under the Comelec resolution implementing the gun ban, the people are prohibited from bearing, carrying and transporting firearms and other deadly weapons unless given the authority by the election body.

Yusoph said on Monday members of the MILF and even of the government peace panel could, however, be allowed to carry firearms if such were part of their peace agreement and if given permission by the Comelec.

“If they have an exemption, we can recognize it,” said Yusoph, adding that if an exemption was included in the agreement, the two panels must furnish the Comelec a copy for approval.

The government and the MILF signed the framework agreement in October. It will become the basis for the final peace pact for Mindanao, which will include the gradual transfer of law enforcement functions from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the police force for the Bangsamoro government.

“As of now, we haven’t received any. And even if they have that agreement, it has to pass through our committee so that we can approve it. We respect the agreement between the government and the MILF,” said Yusoph.

The election official also disclosed that the committee has already received hundreds of applications from various individuals for the gun ban exemption and the employment of security escorts since the start of the election period last week.

So far, the committee has approved 100 applications, mostly from security and government agencies, said Yusoph.