City initiates gun ban, explosives summit
Because of the existence of workable and feasible guidelines on gun ban, the city of Zamboanga was designated the pilot area for the implementation of the gun ban.
This, as the city government under Mayor Celso Lobregat in cooperation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) sponsored yesterday the Summit on Guidelines and Implementation of the firearms and explosives ban in the city.
The Summit, attended by officials from the police and military, local government units and other stakeholders from Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga was in response to the directive from Police Chief Gen. Jesus Versoza who hopes to make Zamboanga City a pilot area in the in the implementation of the firearms ban.
Versoza personally graced the Summit and urged for stricter enforcement of the gun ban in all areas in the country. He said controlling firearms is one of the main thrusts of the PNP under his leadership.
During the program, Mayor Lobregat welcomed the participants, while Gen. Versoza and Western Mindanao Command Chief MGEN. Ben Dolorfino cited the need for controlled firearms.
The Summit centered on four topics: the status and updates on the peace and order situation in the city; the different firarms permits and who is authorized to issue them; the pending bill in Congress on Further Amending RA 1866, as amended, increasing the penalty for violates thereof and updates and status of the firearms amnesty program.
The signing of the amended joint guidelines on the implementation of the firearms and explosives ban in the city was the highlight of the over 3-hour event.
The joint guidelines on the firearm ban was instituted by the city government in 2004 and carried on by the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat
Mayor Celso Lobregat the other day sought multi-sectoral groups in the city to review and update policies in the implementation of the gun ban instituted by the city government.
The 9-page guideline was presented by PSSupt. Amador Corpus, City Police OIC director.
During an open forum held, the speakers explicitly discussed about the firearms ban and the need to strictly comply with the guidelines. The panel of reactors included P/Dir. Felizardo SErapio of the DIPO; PDir. Ireno Bacolod of the Civil Security Group. Police Regional Director Gen. Angel Sunglaol, Corpus; PSSupt Felixberto Candado; Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Santiago Baluyot; City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaro and COMELEC regional director Helen Aguila Flores.
Among the top local government officials who attended the summit were Gov. Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur; Basilan Gov. and other areas in Zamboanga Peninsula; members of the City Council and other officials of the city government and other stakeholders.
Mayor Lobregat said making Zamboanga City a pilot area in the implementation of the gun ban will be a disadvantage on the part of the city considering the numerous challenges that Zamboanga encounters
He said there are circumstances in Zamboanga City that do not exist in other areas in Mindanao. These challenges include the existence of 3 military camps in the city which is why in numerous instances military personnel or their agents are the ones apprehended for violating the ban; Zamboanga is the entry and exit point to many islands and provinces in Mindanao and that the city is where many government officials of other provinces are residing with their security escorts.
“Zamboanga City is the place where the gun ban will be implemented and if it can be implemented here despite the numerous challenges, then there is no reason why it cannot be implemented in other areas,” the mayor said. (Sheila Covarrubias)