A temporary city-wide gun ban in Bacolod City while the MassKara festival is ongoing has been approved by Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday.

All Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) are temporarily suspended from October 1 to 19 in Bacolod City, Bartolome ordered.

In a letter to the Police Regional Office-6 yesterday, Bartolome said stressed that only the members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcers who are performing official duties, and those who are in uniform will be allowed to carry their firearms.

He said that the gun ban is part of the security preparations to ensure that the celebration of the 31st MassKara festival will be free from firearm-related incidents and safe for the residents and tourists.

The gun ban will be implemented through the police integrated patrol system, which includes the conduct of checkpoints, “oplan bakal”, mobile beat patrols, and other police security operations, in close coordination with the AFP and other law enforcement agencies, Bartolome said.

Bacolod City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz said that with the approval of the gun ban, the city police have also temporarily canceled all the gun permits they had issued, which means, no civilians will be allowed to carry firearms outside their homes.

De la Paz also said that the gun ban requested was to start October 1 and end on October 19, however, since it was only approved yesterday, it will be implemented immediately.

Leonardia, who had sought the gun ban, said its approval was a very welcome development.

Leonardia said that he hopes that chances of firearm-related incidents during the festival will be lessened if not totally prevented because of the implementation of the gun ban. He also said that if the gun ban is successful, they will seek it again next year.*APN

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