MANILA (PNA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) will impose a nationwide gun ban for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October, a ranking police official said Thursday.

PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the 130,000-strong police organization is mandated by law to enforce the ban of firearms during election period.

”The PNP is duty bound to enforce the Omnibus Election Code which stipulates the implementation of the gun ban during elections, plebiscites and referenda,” Cruz told PNA.

The SK and barangay elections are scheduled on October 25.

There are clamors for the postponement of such elections for 2012 but there is no definite decision yet.

In this light, Cruz said the PNP is ready whatever will be the decision.

The imposition of gun ban during election period is part of the government’s efforts to maintain peaceful and orderly political exercise.