Comelec appeals to PNP to suspend 'Oplan Katok' drive vs expired gun permits | ABS-CBN
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Comelec appeals to PNP to suspend 'Oplan Katok' drive vs expired gun permits
Comelec appeals to PNP to suspend 'Oplan Katok' drive vs expired gun permits
The 85 firearms recovered by the San Juan City Police include the following: 9 rifles, 9 shotguns, 19 revolvers and 48 pistols. October 22, 2020. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News
The 85 firearms recovered by the San Juan City Police include the following: 9 rifles, 9 shotguns, 19 revolvers and 48 pistols. October 22, 2020. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia is appealing to the Philippine National Police to consider postponing house visits to gun owners with expired licenses, at least during the election period.
MANILA — Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia is appealing to the Philippine National Police to consider postponing house visits to gun owners with expired licenses, at least during the election period.
The PNP's "Oplan Katok" is meant to encourage gun owners with lapsed permits to renew them or to surrender their unlicensed firearms for safekeeping.
The PNP's "Oplan Katok" is meant to encourage gun owners with lapsed permits to renew them or to surrender their unlicensed firearms for safekeeping.
Garcia said the operation is prone to abuse and oculd lead to violations of the rights of legitimate gunowners.
Garcia said the operation is prone to abuse and oculd lead to violations of the rights of legitimate gunowners.
”Baka po kasi magamit para takutin ang mga botante... para mag-influence. Hindi po ba marapat muna na maitigil ito?" Garcia said.
”Baka po kasi magamit para takutin ang mga botante... para mag-influence. Hindi po ba marapat muna na maitigil ito?" Garcia said.
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(It might be used to intimidate voters or to influence them. Shouldn't this be suspended for now?)
(It might be used to intimidate voters or to influence them. Shouldn't this be suspended for now?)
He said the police can resume the operations after the May elections. He said confiscating firearms would have little effect since there is a national gun ban for the elections anyway.
He said the police can resume the operations after the May elections. He said confiscating firearms would have little effect since there is a national gun ban for the elections anyway.
According to Garcia, the commission is willing to hold a dialogue with the PNP to iron out the implementation of this program.
According to Garcia, the commission is willing to hold a dialogue with the PNP to iron out the implementation of this program.
He also emphasized that everything that will happen during election period will be considered election related.
He also emphasized that everything that will happen during election period will be considered election related.
“[L]ahat ng aktibidad ng kahit anong ahensiya ng pamahalan, election related. Hindi nga sila nakakapag-distribute ng social services ng hindi nagpapaalam samin eh, hindi nga sila puwedeng mag-transfer, mag-reassign kahit na sino sa pamahalan nang hindi nagpapaalam sa amin,” Garcia added.
“[L]ahat ng aktibidad ng kahit anong ahensiya ng pamahalan, election related. Hindi nga sila nakakapag-distribute ng social services ng hindi nagpapaalam samin eh, hindi nga sila puwedeng mag-transfer, mag-reassign kahit na sino sa pamahalan nang hindi nagpapaalam sa amin,” Garcia added.
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(Any activity by a government agency would be election related. They cannot even distribute social services without an exemption from us. They cannot transfer or reassign personnel without clearance from us)
(Any activity by a government agency would be election related. They cannot even distribute social services without an exemption from us. They cannot transfer or reassign personnel without clearance from us)
Garcia assured the public that all voters will be able to vote freely this coming midterm polls.
Garcia assured the public that all voters will be able to vote freely this coming midterm polls.
“Comelec will always do its duty to make sure that the voters are able to vote freely and conscientiously — hindi puwedeng naiimpluwensiyahan o tinatakot ng kung sino (We will not allow people to influence or intimidate them),” Garcia said.
“Comelec will always do its duty to make sure that the voters are able to vote freely and conscientiously — hindi puwedeng naiimpluwensiyahan o tinatakot ng kung sino (We will not allow people to influence or intimidate them),” Garcia said.
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