ABC earmarks P100T to process gun license

The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) Cebu City Chapter has allocated over P100,000 to shoulder the expenses for the processing of license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) of 80 barangay captains.

During yesterday’s third general assembly, personnel from Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 responsible for the processing of LTOPF were deployed at Harold’s Hotel to exclusively process the license of the barangay captains.

“During sa among mass oath taking katong sa Hoops Dome katong naa si President (Rodrigo) Duterte, he also mentioned that he was thinking and studying the possibility to arm all the barangay captains because he understands nga ang kanang fight sa mga antidrug campaign nato naa baya gyud sa mga barangay level, front liner ang barangay baya gyud,” ABC President Franklyn Ong told reporters.

Ong, barangay captain of Kasambagan, said the association has prioritized the processing of LTOPF for the barangay captains because of the declaration of the president.

He said the law provides that barangay captains are allowed to carry firearms. To do so, he said they should secure LTOPF and submit the requirements.

Among the processes to secure LTOPF are taking the Neuro-psychological Test, undergoing drug test and attend gun safety seminars.

“Nagpasalamat gyud ko ni Regional Director Gen. (Debold) Sinas sa iyang pagassist ug suporta sa kani nga programa sa atong Liga ng mga Barangay Cebu City Chapter nga nagpadala gyud siya og LTOPF Caravan mao na diri karon atong gihimo, gitapok nato tanan naa diri ang mga one stop processing,” Ong said.

Because of the criminalities in the barangay level, Ong said arming the barangay captains should be necessary because criminals are carrying firearms, too.

After the barangay captains, he said he will look for ways on how to assist the 800 barangay councilors in securing their LTOPF.

To avoid abuse, Ong said all barangay captains will have to attend a gun safety seminar for the basic rules in possessing and owning a firearm.

He said there are few of the 80 barangay captains who have already secured their LTOPF, including him.

When he was elected as new ABC president last month, Ong already vowed to include in his programs to train all barangay captains in handing firearms.

At least 50 barangay captains attended the third general assembly of the association yesterday. —

Jean MarvetteA. Demecillo/MBG