Businessman donates five assault rifles to cops

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebuano businessman has donated five high powered firearms worth over P1 million to Police Regional Office-7.

The donated firearms from Alan Francis Sy will be used by the newly organized Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOG)-7.

PRO-7 director Noli Taliño said the firearms include four units of special operations assault rifle (SOAR) and one sniper rifle.

"Tamang-tama may dumating na donations of four SOAR and sniper rifle, ma i-enhance  ang capability ng SWAT natin sa region, specifically ang SWAT ng RSOG na ipapasama natin don sa training  na gagawin ng Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF)," Taliño said.

 Aside from the firearms, Taliño said he is also waiting for donations of vests and Kevlar helmets for the SWAT team. He said the members of SWAT team are currently using substandard equipment. 

"Kaya  pag-upo natin nag-conduct tayo ng inventory  of our SWAT  team, nakita natin may mga gamit pero substandard yung gamit nila, yung iba nga walang vest, yung iba matatagal na,  yung iba nagma-malfunction na, so very timely yung donation ni Francis  sa SWAT natin," Taliño said.

The regional police commander is hoping that other peace-loving Cebuanos like Sy will also donate additional equipment for the SWAT team.

Francis and his twin brother, Ferdinand, designed and created Ferfrans assault rifles like the ones donated to PRO-7. Ferfrans rifles are now being used by law enforcers not only in the Philippines but in the US as well.

Taliño is hoping that the firearms donated by Francis will be put to a good use. He is expecting the police to practice shooting.

PNP chief Ronald Delal Rosa earlier directed to revive gun proficiency test for all the policemen. 

 "Kung hindi makatama yung police natin dis-armahan nalang,  tatanggalin nalang yung baril,  siguro mas maganda kung itak nalang ang i-issue sa kanila kung hindi sila tatama, sayang yung dino-donate ni Francis," he said.

According to Taliño, each of the rifle donated by Francis costs between P240,000 to P280,000. (FREEMAN)