PNP scores hard-headed Pinoy gun owners

The Philippine National Police (PNP) scolded gun owners Tuesday for insisting on bringing out their firearms despite an ongoing election gun ban. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said at least 71 people – some of them law enforcers - had already been arrested for violating the gun ban, which took effect Sunday. "First day pa lang, alam ng [mga] Pilipino, pero 48 ang nahuli. Despite that, on the second day, may 23 nahuli (On the first day the gun ban went into effect, 48 were arrested. But on the second day, 23 more were arrested)," Espina said in an interview on dzXL radio. The Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s Resolution 1814 bans candidates and private individuals from carrying firearms and hiring bodyguards during the election period. For this year’s elections, the election period runs from January 10 to June 9, 2010. Espina, however, said the PNP also welcomes the gun ban because it has allowed them to go after criminals. He said the checkpoints set up to enforce the gun ban had resulted in the arrest of criminals such as two robbers who robbed and killed a businessman in Bulacan province Monday. "Maganda na rin dito, nasasama ang kriminal (The good thing about it is that we can go after criminals better)," he said. - RSJ, GMANews.TV