No gun ban violator so far in NCotabato - police

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Police in North Cotabato have claimed success in its implementation of the nationwide gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the upcoming polls. “None even a single individual has violated the Comelec gun ban policy in North Cotabato for three days now after its effect on Sunday," said Superintendent Leo Ajero, provincial deputy director for administration and operation of the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office. Ajero attributed this development to the strict and tight security implemented by police operatives and military personnel manning the checkpoints in the province's major thoroughfares.
He said that upon receipt of Comelec order, all police offices in the province set up checkpoints in their respective locality to arrest violators. The checkpoints were under the supervision of Comelec personnel. “We would like to implement the law to avoid pre-election violence to escalate in any of 17 towns and one component city of North Cotabato," Ajero said. The nationwide gun ban will be in effect from January 10 to June 9, 2010. Also covered by the ban are air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives except for fireworks. - Williamor Magbanua/KBK, GMANews.TV