Stricter Comelec gun ban compliance sought after Antipolo road rage
MANILA, Philippines — Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred Delos Santos on Sunday called on the public for stricter compliance with the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following a road rage in Antipolo City.
Delos Santos said that calmness and understanding can save anyone from the dangers of road rage.
“Nakakalungkot ang nangyari sa Antipolo road rage incident; walang buhay ang dapat nawala at hindi dapat nagkasakitan dahil lamang sa nagkainitan ng mga ulo at dahil din sa tila hindi nasunod ang batas, ang imposition ng gun ban na umiiral ngayong panahon ng eleksyon,” Delos Santos said in a statement.
READ: One of Antipolo road rage victims now dead – police
(It is saddening to know about the Antipolo road rage incident. No life should be lost and no one should be injured because of road rage, and because the law was not followed, the imposition of a gun ban during the election period.)
The imposition of a gun ban, which will take effect until June 11, is aimed at ensuring peace and order, as the government believes it could lessen gun-related violence during the upcoming midterm polls.
Delos Santos also underscored responsible gun ownership “to prevent reckless and accidental incidents that will cause a lifetime impact against all parties involved.”
The lawmaker is also pushing for stricter penalties for road rage offenders with higher fines, longer suspension of license, and possible imprisonment to lessen violence on the road.
“Ang mga kalsada ay para sa lahat. Bilang mga mamamayan na gumagamit ng mga ito, lahat po tayo ay may obligasyong maging magalang at disiplinado para sa ating kapwa,” Delos Santos added.
(Roads are for everyone. As citizens using all of these, we have the obligation to be respectful and disciplined toward others.)
The road rage, which occurred last March 30 along Marcos Highway in Sitio Calumpang, left one dead. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also said that while the suspect had a license to own and possess a firearm, he was not issued a Comelec certificate to be exempted from the gun ban.
The PNP previously vowed to intensify security at checkpoints across the country after the Antipolo road incident. It said that the Highway Patrol Group will add two to four PNP personnel to a total of 86 provincial highway patrol teams.
