The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday expressed optimism that their forecast of a significant reduction of election-related violence would materialize with the approval of the gun ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) within the duration of the 2010 election period.

The nationwide gun ban, to start in January next year, was earlier recommended by the PNP to the Comelec.

“We all know that the control of firearms is a determinant in having a more peaceful elections and we will be coordinating very, very closely with the Comelec and we will be under the Comelec during the election period and all of our actions will be coordinated with them,” Director General JesusVerzosa, PNP Chief, told reporters in an interview.

PNP records revealed that a total of 249 Election–Related Violent Incidents (ERVI) in the 2004 national elections resulted in the killing of 41 politicians and wounding of 18 others; and 229 ERVI in the last 2007 election in which 37 politicians were killed and 24 others wounded.

“So our police officers, especially those part of the national firearms program, are very much elated with the pronouncement of our commissioner because the Comelec is supporting the recommendations of the PNP for a nationwide gun ban,” he added.

Verzosa was referring to the statement of Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle that the poll body will adopt the national gun ban recommendation of the PNP during yesterday’s visit in Camp Crame Monday morning.

“We are now adopting this gun ban. We believe that that is the only way to prevent violence,” Tagle told reporters in an interview after the ceremonial burning of confiscated firearms in Camp Crame.

In confirming the approval of the PNP recommendation, Tagle revealed that Comelec officials will even meet today to discuss the specific details with regard to the nationwide gun ban.

Verzosa said that they will be submitting in today’s Comelec meting the specifics on their proposed nationwide gun ban as well as their assessment of election hotspots.

“We don’t want as early as now to term some areas as hotspots because there are lots of factors that should be considered. The assessment should be based mainly on the last two elections and it will somehow change upon the filing of candidacy because we have to check also the contending parties, the personalities that will be involved. So a continuing assessment will be involved,” said Verzosa.

Since the gun ban will be enforced starting January next year, Tagle said they will still have ample time to discuss with police officials as to the mechanics or implementing rules and regulations of the proposed gun ban.

“We do not know how they (PNP) will enforce it, but we will adopt that. Since at the very beginning, we are already in accord with them on that,” he stressed.

A few months ago, the poll body rejected the total gun ban proposal of the PNP, saying its implementation would be a violation of the Omnibus Election Code as it would deprive candidates receiving threats their right to security.

But the PNP top brass asked for reconsideration, explaining that their proposal is not total gun ban per se since policemen, soldiers and private security personnel accredited by the PNP will still be allowed to carry firearms outside their residences.

And since there appeared to be a misunderstanding before that led to the initial junking of their proposal, Verzosa said it would be more appropriate to call their proposal as nationwide gun ban instead of total gun ban.

“The salient feature of which is that only those that are mandated by law should be allowed to carry firearms in proper uniform and in the performance of official functions. These are the basic elements of the recommendation to control the number of firearms during election period,” said Verzosa.