Even after the May 9, 2016 elections, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places.

This was the terse statement of Police Superintendent Ricky Deliles, Public Information Officer of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) in reminding the public on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.

The gun ban will be in effect up to June 8, 2016, 30 days after the election or the end of the election period that started on January 10, 2016.

An increase in the number of persons violating the gun ban was recorded by police authorities with those arrested involved in the illegal drug trade leading the list of violators.

Comelec Resolution No. 10015 dated November 15, 2015 even persons licensed or authorized to possess or to carry firearms are not allowed to bear, carry or transport the same outside one’s residence or place of business and in all public places.

Only those authorized by the Comelec in writing through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) are exempted from the ban.

Members of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), security guards and other government security agencies are also exempted from the gun ban.

Penalties for violators of the gun ban are one to six years imprisonment, permanent disqualification from holding public office and loss of the right to vote, deportation for foreigners after serving of sentence and cancellation or perpetual disqualification to secure a license or permit. (Chito M. Visarra with reports from Allen Doydora)