Beware of fake gun exemptions

Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday warned the public against fixers offering gun ban exemption permits at a price lower than the P5,000 fee imposed by the election body.

In a press conference, Election Commissioner Elias Yusoph, who chairs the committee on the ban on firearms and security personnel, also advised police authorities manning checkpoints across the country to be “very cautious” in examining documents related to the gun ban presented by motorists.

He said an authentic certificate of authority for the gun ban exemption would show three signatories—that of Yusoph and his counterparts in the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Supt. Miguel Antonio Jr. and Brig. Gen. Rodelio Santos, respectively.

Genuine gun ban permits are also watermarked and bear the Comelec seal on the right side of the document.