ON EXEMPTION OF MILITIAS FROM GUN BAN

Exempting the Civilian Active Auxiliaries (CAA) and the Special Civilian Active Auxiliary (SCAA) from the gun ban would be like giving a killer the murder weapon of his choice and the private armies, warlords and the like the freedom to terrorize civilians once again.

I strongly encourage the Commission on Elections to review its resolution exempting the CAA and the SCAA from the total gun ban and place them instead under it. These militia forces are more often than not being used only as cover for the private armies of local warlords.

There are more than a million loose firearms and 132 private armies around the country. Exempting these armed Civilian Volunteer Organizations from the gun ban directly gives the local warlords the freedom to do their usual business of harassment and violence during the election period.

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are more than capable to handle the peace and order situation during the election period.