Those issued by mayor to councilors Bayawan City VM confirms recall of guns

CEBU, Philippines -  Bayawan City (Negros Oriental) Vice Mayor Ismael Martinez has confirmed to The Freeman that Mayor German Sarana Jr has withdrawn all the firearms issued to the city councilors, except those given to political allies of the mayor.

Martinez disclosed that the recalled firearms were issued back to private citizens, who were hired by the city government as job-order employees, assigned in the hinterlands to monitor the detachments and outposts.

Based on the inventory of city properties, City Administrator Victoriano Alabastro and Public Safety Officer Cindy Salimbagat were among those who were issued with city-bought firearms.

The mayor had also issued a firearm to his known ally, a certain Landrito Toniacao, who ran for barangay chairman of San Jose but lost.

Aside from the firearms that were recalled, three motorcycles, two pick-ups and a van assigned to the City Council were also recalled by the mayor, said Martinez, adding that as a result the council has to rent a van during times when events or activities are done outside of the session hall.

Meanwhile, Martinez refuted claims the city is now becoming a killing field, after a series of shooting incidents marred the peace of the city. He said that peace and order concerns also go with any growing city like Bayawan.  (FREEMAN)