Known as a gun enthusiast, who joins firing competitions to unwind, President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Thursday filed an application for exemption from the 150-day gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Commissioner Elias Yusoph, chairman of the committee on the firearms ban and security personnel, said that Aquino sought exemption for his short firearm.

Mr. Aquino’s application will be evaluated with no special treatment.

“He will go through the same process. No special treatment, just the same treatment as the others,” Yusoph said.

On Tuesday, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said that Mr. Aquino would not be automatically exempted from the gun ban that will take effect on January 13. The general rule, he said, is that exemption is granted to security personnel and not to government officials.

“If you’re the Senate president, we don’t grant you the exemption, instead it will be given to your security,” Brillantes added.

He said that that the poll body received 1,000 requests for exemption. Among the applicants are Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid and Public Attorney’s Office Chief Persida Acosta.

The poll body also plans to amend its previous resolution on the firearms ban. Brillantes said that the Comelec will clarify several provisions on the gun ban rules before it takes effect.
 
Exempted
Meanwhile, exempted from the gun ban are the security personnel from the offices of the vice president; secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of National Defense; state, regional, provincial and city prosecutors of the Department of Justice; Internal Security Division of the Bureau of Treasury; and agents of the Bureau of Corrections.

Also exempted are the members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines; National Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; Intelligence, Investigation and Customs Police Divisions of the Bureau of Customs; Philippine Ports Authority; Philippine Economic Zone Authority police forces; government guard forces; Investigation and Intelligence Divisions of the Bureau of Immigration; Manila International Airport Authority police force; Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority police force; and Land Transportation Office Law Enforcement Service.

Members of privately owned security or protective agencies; justices and judges; and security personnel of accredited foreign diplomatic corps and establishments are also allowed to carry firearms.