Asturias LGU turns in 35 guns with expired licenses
At least 35 firearms with expired licenses were surrendered to the police by the local government of Asturias last Wednesday morning in connection with the ‘Oplan Katok' program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Police Inspector Jade Sumugat, chief of Asturias police, said that they received information regarding the firearms with expired licenses under the care of the municipal treasury which led him to ask government officials to surrender these to police for safekeeping.
He said that all 35 firearms were 9 mm pistols.
“Cooperative man sad ang LGU. Dihang ato gihangyo sa pagpa-surrender sa mga armas, gi-surrender ra pud nila while nagprocess for renewal sa license,” said Sumugat.
The 9 mm firearms were procured by the local government in 2006 and issued to local officials including barangay captains, according to Sumugat.
Asturias Mayor Anto Pintor in a phone interview with The FREEMAN said that they recalled the firearms after receiving reports of several officials allegedly abusing their use.
“Actually dugay na to nga mga firearms napalit. Wala na gi-renew kay daghan og mga abusado sa gi-issuehan niini. Unya aduna may memorandum para sa mga loose firearms maong nakig-alayon ta sa kapulisan,” said Pintor.
He added that they are now processing the renewal of the firearms, but they will only reissue these to a few chosen officials.
Meanwhile, Sumugat said Asturias police are very serious in their campaign against loose firearms under the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
It can be known that Duterte directed the PNP to strengthen the campaign against loose firearms under the ‘Oplan Katok' program.
Sumugat said the 35 firearms will be under their safekeeping while the local government is in the process of renewing the licenses of the firearms.
He also encouraged those who own unlicensed or with expired license firearms to surrender these immediately to police to avoid being charged with illegal possession of firearms.
“I-surrender nalang nila ang ilang mga expired o dili lisinsiyadong mga armas para na pud sa safety sa tanan,” said Sumugat.