A presidential candidate Wednesday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to clarify how it is going to implement the total gun ban as part of its preparation for the May 10 elections.

Sen. Richard Gordon, in a forum at the Manila Hotel, said the poll body should explain how it is going to execute this operation during the elections to lower down the incidence of political killings in the coming elections.

He urged the poll body to be strict in imposing the gun ban, and to release the names of persons who were issued permits to carry guns during the campaign and election periods.

The Comelec is set to implement total gun ban from Jan. 10 to June 9, 2010, prohibiting private individuals from carrying firearms and allowing only two security personnel for each candidate.

“Kung magkakaroon ng gun ban, dapat linawin natin iyan sapagkat ang totoo niyan, may gun ban sa salita. Sa akin, that’s a joke yung gun ban,” Gordon said.

“Kung lahat pare-parehong walang baril, make sure that the law enforcement run after those who have guns sapagka’t mangyayari pa rin iyan (election-related killings),” he added.

Comelec Resolution 8714 states that “no person shall bear, carry or transport licensed or unregistered firearms or deadly weapons in public except for the regular plantilla of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines, other government law enforcement units and private security agencies duly authorized by the PNP and hired security personnel of candidates who were enlisted with Comelec.”

Gordon said that despite the implementation of a total gun ban in the May 2007 mid-term elections, international observers got reports of 128 election-related killings and over 200 other incidence of violence since the official start of the campaign period to election day when 10 people were killed.

If Comelec is bent on implementing a total gun ban, it would be better if they announce the names of persons who were issued gun ban exemptions. “Mabuti pa sabihin nila, ‘Ito may permit.’ Ilabas nila ang may permit para alam ng tao kung sino ang may permit ang baril. Mas maganda pa iyon,” Gordon said.

Meanwhile, in La Union, policemen were warned that they could be arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearms if caught carrying guns in civilian attires.

PNP chief, Director General Jesus Verzosa said Tuesday that, as measure to prevent violence and lessen election-related killings, only policemen in complete uniforms may be authorized to carry guns.

Verzosa said civilians may have the right to arrest illegal gun holders and other people engaged in illegal and criminal activities by invoking what he called “citizens' arrest.” (with reports by Mario T. Supnad and David Cagahastian)