ZAMBOANGA CITY—Director General Avelino Razon Jr., National Police chief, has ordered a crack- down on loose firearms in an effort to make this city gun-free.

Razon issued the order following a request from Mayor Celso Lobregat to strengthen the firearms ban in this city.

Lobregat made the request in Friday’s City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting at City Hall attended by Razon, who made his first visit to the city since he was appointed National Police chief.

Razon directed Western Mindanao police commander Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal and local police director Sr. Supt. Manuel Barcena to fully implement the policy on the gun ban here.

Razon said he is happy to note that the local government has taken the initiative of pushing for the prohibition of illegal firearms.

He said the policy should also be strictly implemented in other areas outside of the city such as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other parts of Caringal’s command.

Caringal’s command covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

Razon also ordered the police in this city and in the region to list down the names of the security personnel assigned to visiting dignitaries, including the types of firearms issued to them.

He said that only authorized persons, particularly from the police and the military, can carry firearms while on official mission.

Those not performing official functions or on rest and recreation are restricted from carrying firearms, Razon added.

In 2004, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was forged by Lobregat with local military and police officials and the elected officials of the neighboring provinces for the purpose of implementing the firearms ban in this city.

Congressmen, governors and mayors who visit this city are supposed to bring only two security personnel under the MOA.

Lobregat said there is a need to strengthen the gun ban in the city, citing the numerous gun-related incidents that happen here.

Last week, three people were killed inside a restaurant in barangay San Jose Gusu, west of this city, after they were shot at close range by two still-unidentified gunmen.

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ZAMBOANGA CITY—Director General Avelino Razon Jr., National Police chief, has ordered a crack- down on loose firearms in an effort to make this city gun-free.

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