The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) revealed on Wednesday that the suspension of the “Permit To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence” (PTCFOR) in Davao Region is already in effect.
Police Major Catherine dela Rey, DCPO spokesperson, said the temporary gun ban took effect on March 20, 2023. It will last until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2023.
The suspension is in line with the holding of the Ironman 70.3 events on March 24 to 26 in Davao City.
All applications for permit to transport firearms and ammunition (PTTFA) and release of purchased freiarms in the region shall also be suspended.
Dela Rey called on off duty police personnel not to carry firearms outside even if they have permits as only police officers, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, and other law enforcement agencies who are on duty and wearing their agency uniforms are allowed to carry firearms.
“Effective March 20, suspended na ang PTCFOR para malikayan ang firearm related incidents during sa Ironman 70.3,” she said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
She said random checkpoints will be intensified at the entry of Davao City and Davao Region.
“Definitely naa ta’y mga random checkpoints dungag sa atoang mga border areas and entrances checkpoints,” she said.
Meanwhile, Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO 11), disclosed last week that as part of the preparation, PRO 11 has augmented almost 4,000 PNP personnel to provide security, particularly for Ironman events.
“We will be busy giving security sa Ironman na magtraverse from Davao City to Tagum City kaya napaka higpit na ng ating preparasyon diyan,” she said.
