THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will enforce a gun ban for the separate inauguration rites of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. in Manila and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte in Davao City, said Police Major General Valeriano de Leon on Wednesday.
De Leon, PNP Director for Operations, said the gun ban in Davao Region will be in effect from June 16 to 21 for Duterte’s inaugural ceremony on June 19 and on June 27 to July 2 in Metro Manila for Marcos’ oath taking set on June 30.
“That [gun ban] is three days before [the event] and two days [after the event] because we have clearing areas…if ever there is an incident that warrants investigation,” De Leon said in a press conference.
The June 19 event will be held at San Pedro Square in Davao City, while the June 30 ceremony will be held at the National Museum in Manila.
“The suspension (gun ban) covers the period of full preparations, deployment and implementation of the security measures for the oath-taking events of the two highest ranking officials of the country,” De Leon pointed out.
“That was our recommendation that was approved (by PNP officer in charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr.),” he added.
Asked if the gun ban was prompted by any reported threat, De Leon said it is best to stay vigilant.
“We are validating raw information. We do not discount any information that reaches our office. We quickly send them to Directorate of Intelligence for validation,” he said.
“Be that as it may, we are ready for anything,” he added.
He said at least 3,700 policemen will be tapped to secure the oath taking of Duterte while at least 6,000 will be deployed for the oath taking of Marcos.
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