PNP Chief P/DG Jesus Versoza inspect some FA's after his command implement E.O. 817 (Firearms Gun Amnesty last year 2009, Said Amenisty ended last November 30, 2009. Photo supplied
Director General Jesus Verzosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has warned that 
violators of the nationwide total gun ban in preparation for the May 2010 national elections will face arrest.
Verzosa stressed that only persons of authority, like policemen, soldiers and personnel of other government and private law enforcement and security agencies, in proper uniform and during actual performance of their respective duties are deemed authorized to carry firearms during the period.
The nationwide total gun ban starts January 10 and ends on June 9.
”All persons with firearms while in civilian attire are presumed to be unauthorized and will therefore be arrested on the spot,” said Verzosa.
Verzosa has tapped Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano, PNP deputy chief for Operations and commander of National Task Force HOPE 2010, to require all Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units and law enforcement agencies to submit to the PNP photos of their agency's prescribed uniform for proper coordination.
Verzosa said that non-compliance by the concerned agencies of this requirement is presumed that the agency has waived the privilege to bear firearms while in uniform. Thus, they are subject to arrest for violation of the gunban.
For a start, Verzosa earlier ordered the suspension of all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) issued by the PNP during the election period.
He said authority granting police security detail to government officials, very important personalities (VIPs) and other private individuals under threat is also revoked.
"Only PNP, AFP, NBI personnel and protective agents of PDA (Private Detective Agencies) shall be deputized as security detail during the election period provided that these personnel shall be in proper uniform and in the actual performance of official security duties," Verzosa said. 
According to Verzosa, all security details are subject to approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP).
Verzosa said "only regular plantilla members of PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies (who are receiving regular compensation for services rendered) are authorized to bear, carry and transport firearms while in prescribed uniform showing clearly and legibly the name, rank, serial number, or in case rank and serial number are inapplicable, the agency-issued identification card showing clearly the name and position (ID card shall remain visible at all times), with valid mission or letter orders, and in the actual performance of official duty or going to or returning from his residence or station."
"Members of privately owned or operated security, Investigative, protective security agencies duly authorized by the PNP, can possess firearms only while in uniform with valid identification card conspicuously displayed and in the actual performance of duty at his specified area of assignment," Verzosa said.
He explained that issued firearms of security guards shall be left or deposited in their respective posts when off duty.
Last year, the PNP also launched an intensified campaign against loose firearms under the National Firearms Control Program (NFCP) which yielded more than 300,000 illegal firearms throughout the country.
Under the program, which was undertaken after the United Nations reported that the Philippines is host to more than one million loose firearms, the PNP also launched a nationwide amnesty for illegal holders of firearms. (
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