One of the major reasons of the localized gun ban is to ensure the safety of tourists and the Davaoeños. Since its implementation on August 1, three persons were already nabbed by local authorities and their cases were already filed in court.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — As the Kadayawan festival’s main events are getting near, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio calls on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Task Force Davao to intensify the implementation of gun ban.
“Naa pa koy makita nga nagadala og armas nga naka-sibilyan (I still see some carrying firearms in plain clothes,)” Duterte-Carpio said in a press briefing, Monday.
A month-long gun ban, from August 1 to 31, was ordered by PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, in a memorandum he issued to Police Regional Office (PRO) Director Jaime Morente last July 16.
The memo suspends all permits to carry firearms outside of residences as part of the Kadayawan’s security measures, for the event “to be free from firearm-related incidents.”
It added that only those members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies who will “perform official duties” and are “in prescribed uniforms” are allowed to carry guns.
Duterte also made the call in the aftermath of skirmishes between government troops and that of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) in Maguindanao province. BIFM, which seceded from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2009, is said to be responsible for the series of attacks last week.
“There is no imminent threat (against the city),” the mayor told local reporters, adding that she instructed authorities “to be on high alert and always expect that something might happen.”
The Local Tourism Office expects an influx of 70,000 tourists, visitors and revelers for the Kadayawan, an annual celebration for the year’s abundance.
One of the major reasons of the localized gun ban is to ensure the safety of tourists and the Davaoeños. Since its implementation on August 1, three persons were already nabbed by local authorities and their cases were already filed in court.
The latest apprehension took place last August 10 when authorities arrested a member of the village police in Centro Agdao for firing his unlicensed gun.
Earlier this month, about 300 policemen from the PRO-XI were deployed to augment the local police force and improve police visibility in most areas of the city during the Kadayawan festivities. (Alex D. Lopez, davaotoday.com)
