MANILA, June 4 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that the gun ban will be strictly enforced once the election period for parliamentary polls begins next month.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia urged BARMM residents to comply with election rules and to secure permits if they need to carry firearms during the election period, which runs from July 16 to Sept. 29, 2026.

"I hope everyone will cooperate. That we are not in a place where we can freely carry our firearms...All firearm licenses in the region are suspended once the election period starts," he said in a recent interview.

Garcia said exemptions will be allowed, particularly those facing ...