As the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election nears, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) started to accept applications for gun ban exemptions.
COMELEC chairperson George Garcia said on Thursday, June 22, that the gun ban will begin on August 28.
"Dito sa main office ng COMELEC, mag-apply. Lahat ng security agencies, lahat ng may baril diyan mag-apply sa amin. Although, meron kaming ilang applications na dinelegate sa atin local offices," Garcia said during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
Garcia also clarified that the Justices of the Supreme Court, lawyers of the Public Attorney's Office, and members of the Prosecutor's Office receive an automatic exemption from the gun ban.
The COMELEC chair stressed that police officers and soldiers still need to apply for a gun ban exemption.
"Kailangan pa rin sila mag-apply kasi hindi lahat ay on-duty status. Kinakailangan natin ma-verify at ma-monitor yung hawak nilang baril," Garcia explained.
The gun ban will last until November 29, while the BSKE will take place on October 28.
