TABUK CITY, KALINGA — The Anti-firing Ordinance has approved on third reading, which will ban gunfiring during burials in Tabuk City. Although this was considered custom during burials, the local government expressed concerns over community safety.

Tabuk City Councilor Jayferson Bon-as, author of the Anti-firing Ordinance, expressed concern about this matter because even the children learn to handle and fire gunshots at the event.

“So nakasanayan kasi dito sa amin sa Tabuk City na kapag may namatay bata man o matanda, nagpapaputok sila. So nakakabahala na since pano kapag may nadisgrasya, may matamaan,” he said

[“It has become a custom here in Tabuk City that when someone passes away, whether young or old, they fire guns. It is alarming because what will happen if an accident occurs or someone gets hit?”]

“Mabuti pa nga ang Uniformed Personnel, 21 guns salute lang pero itong mga kababayan natin, hindi mo bilang kung ilang putok,” he added

[“The Uniformed Personnel are limited to 21 gun salutes, but our fellow citizens, you cannot even count how many shots are fired.”]

Under the Anti-firing Ordinance during burials in the City of Tabuk, gunshots during burial are strictly prohibited, regardless of whether the weapon is licensed or not. Violators may face immediate confiscation of the firearm used and potential charges.

“Kaya aantayin pa ba natin na may madisgrasya pa? So, nag-propose tayo ng ordinance na ipagbawal ‘yong pagpapaputok ng baril during burial ceremonies,” he said

[“Are we going to wait for a tragedy to happen? That is why we proposed this ordinance to ban gunshots during burial ceremonies.”]

The measure exempts official military honors, traditional gun salutes for uniformed personnel, and war veterans, as long as they are coordinated with respective authorities and comply with safety protocols.

The ordinance now only awaits the signature of Tabuk City Mayor Darwin Estrañero for the official enactment and city-wide implementation of the law.

With reports from Grace Doctolero