Frogs Ahoy!

MANILA, Philippines-- The chief of the Metro Manila police reminded the public that airsoft guns or gun replicas have been included in the election period’s gun ban.

Director Roberto Rosales, chief of the The National Capital Region Police Office, urged airsoft gun owners and enthusiasts, in a statement, to refrain from carrying their guns so as not to violate Commission on Elections Resolution 8714, which included airsoft guns and gun replicas in the list of items covered by the gun ban.

He advised them to just leave their guns in places where they practice or play their hobby.

He said two men identified as Tristan Castro and Jonas Eslao were nabbed on Sunday morning for carrying a .45 caliber airsoft pistol and a gun replica at the checkpoint in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Earlier in the day, the NCRPO reported that three policemen, a member of the Philippine Navy and a government official were among the 11 people arrested in the first few hours of the implementation of the total gun ban on Sunday, the National Capital Regional Police Office said.

PO1 Aldrin Almanzan, SPO1 William Ronquillo, Navy's S1BM Michael Basahan, who all wore civilian clothes but were carrying their service firearms were arrested at a checkpoint put up in Las Piñas City, NCRPO spokesperson Rommel Miranda said.

Another policeman PO1 Dennis Quinto and Lawyer Tecson John Lim, the provincial administrator of Quirino province were also held on Sunday in Quezon City and Manila respectively.

“We won't spare our own men in this campaign. So, all those who plan to violate the (gun ban) must think twice,” Miranda said.

The NCRPO has set up 70 checkpoints in Metro Manila as the nationwide gun ban took effect ahead of the May 2010 elections. During an inspection, Miranda said Rosales reminded the police personnel manning the checkpoints to be courteous and respect human rights of the motorists and the public.

Meanwhile, Rosales also appealed to election candidates to file their application for Temporary Security Detail (TSD) at the Joint Security Control Center soon to allow them to employ security personnel with a legally issued firearm.

As of Sunday afternoon, 26 applications had been approved and 131 applications were still pending for approval.