Gun ban to be implemented in Naga City for Peñafrancia

LEGAZPI CITY — To ensure the safety of thousands of devotees who would be pouring in for the upcoming Peñafrancia Festival this September, Bicol police will be implementing a gun ban in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Chief Supt. Antonio Gardiola, Bicol police chief, said all permits to carry firearms outside residence are temporarily suspended for 10 days effective on September 8-17 or during the nine-day “novenario” (novena festivities) in honor of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia (Our Lady of Peñafrancia), the Patroness of Bicol.

“The very objective of a gun ban is that we would like to ensure that the celebration will be free from firearm-related incidents and assure the safety of the devotees who will participate in the events,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Jonathan Panganiban, Naga City police director, said all security plans have been set up to protect tourists from any criminality and other threats to peace and order.

The Peñafrancia Festival is dubbed as the biggest Marian devotion event in Asia. JE