BY IME SORNITO
ILOILO – Starting January 12, all detailed security personnel assigned to elected public officials and other government officials were recalled.
This move aligns with the commencement of the election period for the May 12, 2025 midterm elections, during which strict regulations are in place, including a gun ban, prohibition on transferring government employees, and restrictions on deploying security details from law enforcement agencies.
Provincial Election Supervisor Reinier Layson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) – Iloilo Province said security personnel assigned to officials, such as governors and mayors, will be ordered back to their respective units.
This policy applies to all elected officials and government employees who have security details from the Philippine National Police (PNP) or other law enforcement bodies.
However, exemptions are available for high-risk individuals.
Elected officials and private citizens who face verified threats to their lives may apply for a Certificate of Authority from the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) at the Comelec Central Office.
“In their applications, they must establish that they are high-risk individuals or public officials facing credible threats, justifying the issuance of a Certificate of Authority for security detail or exemption from the gun ban,” Layson explained.
The same process applies to those seeking permission to possess firearms during the election period. Applicants must detail the reasons for their exemption request, such as occupational risks or specific threats related to their roles.
“Some public officials and private citizens require firearms due to the nature of their work or their personal circumstances, which categorize them as high-risk individuals,” Layson added.
Application Process
Layson encouraged all high-risk individuals and officials to submit their applications electronically via the official Comelec website. Applications are accepted Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Exempted Officials
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11067, promulgated in September 2024, certain officials are fully exempt from the gun ban and the recall of security details. These include:
* President and Vice President
* Chief Justice and Supreme Court Justices
* Senate President, House Speaker, and all incumbent legislators
* Cabinet members (secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries)
* Justices of the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals
* Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, and related investigators and prosecutors
* Judges of regional, municipal, and metropolitan trial courts
* Prosecutors from the Department of Justice, including the Prosecutor General and state prosecutors
* Officials and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation
* Comelec officials and election officers
The resolution underscores the importance of maintaining impartiality and security during the election period while addressing the safety concerns of high-risk individuals./PN
