High-powered firearms banned from security firms

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Civil Security Group-7 has confirmed that security firms are no longer allowed to possess high-powered firearms and live ammunition rounds for safekeeping purposes.

SPO2 Glen Facturan, chief clerk of RCSG-7, said Camp Crame has issued a memorandum, which mandates security agencies to turn over high-powered firearms to the Philippine National Police.

“The security agencies should recall the issued high-powered firearms from their security guards and turn them over to the PNP for safe keeping. Ilaha lang i-replace ang ilahang armas (sa security guards) og low-powered firearms like pistol or shotgun,” Facturan told The Freeman.

Facturan's statement came after Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, head of the Philippine National Police Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA), said on June 2, through a national online news report, that the move is “in compliance with the presidential instruction” to prohibit security agencies from using high-powered guns like an M-16 rifle.

According to the memorandum issued by the national headquarters last May 26, the turnover of high-powered firearms is a “pro-active measure to deny the so-called ‘enemies of the state’ a chance to get hold of these firearms.

“Ang kini nga memorandum gikan ni President (Rodrigo) Duterte aron dili makadugang sa armas sa kontra kay usa sa ilahang himoon kay mag- agaw-armas man,” Facturan said.

On May 21, President Rodrigo Duterte told The Philippine Star that he plans to issue an order that would tighten regulations and ownership of guns to ensure that these high-caliber firearms do not fall into the hands of militants and criminals.

Aside from grabbing firearms, most of the criminals would ill-treat unwary security guards.

Facturan said it is the RCSG-7 that regulates the movement of security agencies in Central Visayas.

“There are 92 security agencies here in Region 7 but not all security agencies possess high-powered firearms, gamay ra,” he said.

As soon as the memorandum from the national headquarters was issued, Facturan immediately addressed the security agencies through the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators (PADPAO), Inc. in Central Visayas

“Ni-follow sila sa atoang directive. Sila (PADPAO) ni-inform og mi-forward sa ilaha (security agencies) nga naa'y memo from our national office,” Facturan said.

Around 30 high-powered firearms have been turned over to RCSG located at the Police Regional Office (PRO) -7, Facturan said.

There is no risk factor after security agencies were stripped off their privilege of possessing high-powered firearms, Facturan said.

“Wala naman risk factor. Pero kung makita ninyo, gi-increase man atoang PNP security dinhi,” Facturan said.

He said RCSG is monitoring gun dealers or licensed gun stores strictly. From monthly inspections, the office also does random inspections and profiling of these people and establishments. (FREEMAN)