The ban on carrying firearms and employing security personnel shall begin on September 28 when the country officially enters the Barangay and SK election period, based on the Calendar of Activities released by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
"Gun ban exemptions issued in connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections shall be recognized as valid for purposes of the October 28, 2013 Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections," said Comelec Resolution 9738.
More than 3,600 individuals, mostly civilians, were arrested before end of the five-month gun ban period. The ban ended last June 12.
On the other hand, Comelec Resolution 9735 said the approved permits in availing security personnel and bodyguards during the May 13 elections shall not be extended for the October elections.
No date has been set yet as to when will the new applications and renewals be accepted, according to the Office of Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph. Yusoph was retained as the chairman of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel for the October 28 polls.
Violation of the bans on carrying firearms and employing security personnel shall be punished with imprisonment one to six years, permanent disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.--Source: Sunstar