ZAMBOANGA DEL CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 27, 2010) – A building contractor was killed despite a strict gun ban being implemented by authorities in an attack in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.
Engineer Joselito Yanga, also the vice president of the local contractors called “Los Contratista”, was heading home on a motorcycle late Tuesday when he was shot in the head in the village of Guiwan.
Police said it still investigating the murder. “Engineer Yanga was a good man and a happy person and we were shocked to learn that he was shot and killed,” said Engineer Raymon Go, a local building contractor.
At least 15 gun attacks have been recorded in Zamboanga City since early January and all these occurred just as the police and military are implementing a nationwide gun ban.
The Commission on Elections ordered a six-month nationwide gun ban beginning January 10 ahead of the May national and local polls to minimize political violence during the election campaign period.
Only duty policemen and soldiers and members of law enforcement agencies are authorized to bear arms provided they have permits from the Commission on Elections exempting them from the gun ban.
But the order also put at risk many local gun owners who are receiving death threats. Hired killers are actively operating in Zamboanga City and had been blamed for many murders the past years. (Mindanao Examiner)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Building contractor killed in Zamboanga City
Zambo police warn citizens vs. illegal firearms
PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 27, 2010) – Police on Wednesday reminded citizens not to carry firearms whether licensed or not because of the nationwide gun ban being implemented in the country ahead of the May national polls.
Senior Superintendent Ramon Ochotorena, the Zamboanga del Sur provincial police chief, said the total gun ban which took effect this month will stay until June.
“We will spare no one. This should served as warning to all that the police will not tolerate any violations of the gun ban whether civilians or not,” he told the Mindanao Examiner newspaper.
He said the Resolution 8714 of the Commission on Elections strictly prohibits the carrying and transport of firearms, explosives and deadly weapons from January 10 to June 09, 2010.
He said only uniformed members of the police, military men, and government security agencies that are on official duties are allowed to carry firearms during the 150-day election period or provided they have Comelec permits exempting them from the gun ban.
Ochotorena explained the gun ban will prevent or reduce poll related violence. “This early there are 30 mobile check points scattered around the whole province to implement the order,” he said.
Police have arrested several gun ban violators in the province. (Becky de Asis)
Monday, January 18, 2010
Car stopped at North Cotabato checkpoint yields pistol
Policemen man a checkpoint in North Cotabato’s Tulunan where they arrested a car owner after his vehicle yielded a gun on Sunday, January 17, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)The car was stopped at the checkpoint Sunday where policemen were enforcing the gun ban. The driver, whose name was not released by the authorities, was immediately arrested after he failed to show permits and other documents for the gun.
Policemen manning the checkpoint were led by Inspector Joan Ressurecion, of the Cotabato Provincial Public Safety Management Company. The confiscated weapon was turned over to Senior Inspector Ramil Hojilla, of the Tulunan police force for ballistic examination and proper filing of charges against the driver for violating the gun ban.
“The gun owner is temporarily detained at the Tulunan police station while waiting for inquest proceeding,” said Chief Inspector Gilberto Tuzon, the company commander of the Cotabato Provincial Public Safety Management Company.
The Commission on Elections imposed a total gun ban in the country this month ahead of local and national polls to prevent election violence. Only duty policemen and soldiers and members of law enforcement agencies are authorized to bear arms.
The gun ban took effect January 10 and will stay until June this year. (Geo Solmerano)
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Respect rights of citizens, Philippine human rights body tells police, soldiers
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 9, 2010) – The Philippines Commission on Human Rights on Saturday warned authorities to respect human rights as police and soldiers enforce a six-month gun ban ahead of the May 10 national and local elections.
Lawyer Leila de Lima, the head of the Commission on Human Rights, said policemen and soldiers should respect the rights of citizens, especially motorists who pass through road blocks and checkpoints.
The gun ban, which will begin Sunday, is aimed at minimizing political violence during the election campaign period.
“Respect human rights of motorists, even while enforcing the gun ban. The idea of checkpoints to enforce the gun ban in order to minimize political violence during the current election campaign period can be an effective tool for peace and order,” De Lima said. “But even good intentions do not justify human rights violations and abuse of police power.”
In Zamboanga City, policemen and soldiers have been accused of violating human rights after they physically searched vehicles and frisked motorists at checkpoints even before the start of the gun ban.
Television news footages also show soldiers and policemen frisking motorcycle riders at checkpoints around Zamboanga.
Licensed gun owners, who deposit their firearms to security guards in malls and hospitals, also end up in police stations after authorities confiscate their guns. Many of them were traders who have received death threats and need to protect themselves against possible attacks.
The Commission on Human Rights said the rights of all persons stopped at the checkpoints should be respected, including their right to privacy and the right to be secure in their persons.
De Lima also reminded the police and soldiers that the law requires them to be identifiable at all times with name labels on their uniforms. She said the Commission on Human Rights will monitor the implementation of these checkpoints and any others that may be set up around the country.
“Clear and polite communication with the general public will go a long way in garnering the public’s cooperation,” De Lima said. “Most people are happy to cooperate for the sake of peace and order but they do not want to be treated like criminals or suspects from the very outset.”
De Lima said citizens can report to the Commission on Human Rights improper conduct or rights violations by soldiers and policemen. (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Paglabag Sa Gunban, Lumulobo!
Sa rekord ng pulisya, tinatayang 719 indibidwal ang kinasuhan habang mahigit 1,000 ang kasalukuyan pang iniimbestigahan. Umaabot naman sa 1, 679 ang mga nakumpiskang ilegal na armas mula noong Enero kung saan ay pinakamarami o 329 ay buhat sa Calabarzon, 269 sa National Capital Region at 130 sa Western Visayas.
Kabilang sa mga nasamsam ay 59 na granada, 53 improvised explosives at 281 bladed weapons bilang bahagi ng Oplan Panlalansag ng pambansang pulisya.
May 125 insidente ng karahasan ang naitala sa pagsisimula ng campaign period at 36 rito ang kumpirmadong may kinalaman sa eleksyon. (Juley Reyes)