Poll gun ban starts Friday night

MANILA, Philippines—A nationwide gun ban will start at midnight Friday as the 45-day election period for the barangay (village) elections begins, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Comelec checkpoints would again be put up along major thoroughfares to help ensure that the Oct. 28 barangay polls will be peaceful.

“The election period is starting so there is going to be many prohibitions. Starting at midnight, we will put up our checkpoints,” Brillantes said in an interview.

Under Comelec rules, it is also prohibited to make new government appointments, hand out promotions and create new positions or grant salary increases in government offices.

The transfer of officers and employees in the civil service and the suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay official are also banned.

Brillantes said candidates wishing to run in the barangay elections could file their certificates of candidacy on Oct. 11.