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Friday, August 18, 2006
CH willing to give NBI guns for Asean
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is willing to give guns to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7, which requested him so it can help secure the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in December.
But the mayor will first try to see what is available in the market and look for the best offer before the City specifies what firearms will be distributed.
Normally, Osmeña said, the City will buy guns when it is offered a good deal. That is because guns are very expensive once distributors see that the buyer greatly needs them.
“I have to see what is out there first because if you just want to buy whatever you like, the price is times two, times three,” he said.
In 2003, Osmeña bought 50 stainless steel Smith and Wesson .357 revolvers for P9,800 each.
Good buy
He said it was a good buy because the prevailing price at that time was P14,000 each.
“We have to see what’s available and what NBI needs,” he added.
Also, the mayor said members of barangay intelligence networks (BINs) guarding City Hall properties and officials will be provided with shotguns.
He divulged the plan when told that there are BINs who tote guns while stationed outside different offices.
The BIN members, who replaced the blue guards the City refused to rehire last month, are civilians and are not allowed to carry guns unless they have licenses and permits.
Osmeña said the volunteers are doing a better job than the security guards so that he will buy shotguns for their use.
“I think eventually we can issue them shotguns because they’re just within City Government premises,” he said.
They no longer need mission orders because they are not bringing home the shotguns.
The City, though, will have them sign memorandum receipts for the guns so it will be known who is accountable for which gun.
Cut cost
To cut cost and improve efficiency in security, Osmeña replaced the 108 private security guards hired to guard City Hall, the South Road Properties and department offices with the civilians.
The City saves a lot as it shells out only a P3,000 honorarium per volunteer instead of P9,000 for each security guard, he added. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 18, 2006 issue)
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