Security agencies warned against violating gun ban

The Police Regional Office 7 is reminding security guards and their respective agencies to have their firearms registered and licensed or risk violating the election gun ban.

PRO 7 Director Debold Sinas had disclosed that some security agencies in Cebu not only failed to secure a gun ban exemption, but their personnel were also carrying unlicensed firearms.

Sinas made the discovery following an assessment of PRO 7’s Firearms Unit last Friday, Feb. 22, as part of their security preparations for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Cebu on Sunday, Feb. 24.

Charges

Last Friday, police officers from PRO 7 apprehended four security guards from different agencies in Cebu City after they were caught carrying unlicensed firearms and “paltik,” or homemade guns.

The four security guards will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and violating the election gun ban. Their respective agencies will also face administrative charges.

Sinas said the move would serve as a warning to all owners of firearms to get their guns licensed or else.

“If you have firearms whose licenses have expired, please surrender it. The point is you should follow the policy. We have been constantly reminding all gun owners of their responsibilities. We expect them to do their obligation so they will not be apprehended,” Sinas said.

The police official said one private hospital in Cebu City had to contend with security guards without any firearms after some of their colleagues were arrested for carrying unlicensed guns.