OFFICIALS TOLD TO SURRENDER UNLICENSED FIREARMS

City and barangay officials are encouraged to surrender their unlicensed firearms to police following the arrest of two barangay officials caught with unlicensed firearms last week. Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak urged city and barangay officials including the public to immediately inform the nearest police station if ever they have unprocessed licenses to carry guns. “I am requesting those who failed to renew the license of their firearms and their authority to carry it to inform the nearest police station as soon as possible,” Tumulak said. Tumulak, who is also the deputy mayor for police matters, sponsored a resolution on the request, which was passed in the Council on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Tumulak said the police has been implementing search warrants. “To avoid the presumption that this is politics, the officials should inform the police stations. The PNP is just doing its job and following orders from Comelec. We want to avoid doubt as to the implementation of search warrants,” he said. Last Feb. 22, Lusaran Barangay Captain Agustin Partulan and Calamba Barangay Captain Victor “Jojo” Quijano yielded unlicensed firearms during the implementation of search warrants issued by a court. The two captains are allies of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña under the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK). Calamba Councilor Ramsy Mercado and barangay tanod Anthony Gingoyon were also arrested. /