MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said a gun ban is already in effect in the entire Navotas City in connection with the forthcoming plebiscite in three of its barangays on January 5.
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10239, the ban on the carrying firearms in the city has started last December 26 and will run until January 10, 2018.
“Provisions relating to the gun ban on bearing, carrying, or transportation of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places shall apply to all persons within the entire City of Navotas,” the poll body said.
However, the order added that exempted from the gun ban are government officials and employees with law enforcement or security functions, licensed security personnel, or bodyguards but only upon written authority from the poll body.
Violation of the gun ban is tantamount to an election offense, which carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right of suffrage.
The Comelec is set to hold plebiscites in Barangays NBBS, Tangos, and Tanza early next year.
The referendum is for the ratification of the division of Barangay NBBS into NBBS Proper, NBBS Kaunlaran, and NBBS Dagat-Dagatan; Barangay Tangos into Tangos North, and Tangos South; and Barangay Tanza into Tanza 1, and Tanza 2.