This was a recent scene of violence in Lanao during the last May 2010 elections. In spite of a “total gun ban” imposed by the Comelec and the Philippine National Police, we can see a 2 hour gun battle erupt among armed civilians and hooligans who proliferated at the polling center. The police and military were nowhere to be found to prevent this violence. 1 dead and several wounded. So let us once again as ourselves the same question: If there is a “total gun ban” how come the criminals are allowed to bear guns unopposed and unaccosted by the police? Clearly, there was no such protection for the poor unarmed and helpless civilians who were left to fend for themselves.