Monday, July 28, 2008 Speech to send police out on streets
POLICE forces in Cebu City and Province were placed on heightened alert yesterday in preparation for President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address.
The “no permit, no rally” policy should be enforced, said Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Carmelo Valmo-ria, and all chiefs of police have been alerted and instructed to be ready for any eventuality.
Maximum tolerance will be exercised by the police, although Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador said he expected a minimal number of rallyists.
Expect cause-oriented groups to stage protests near the Malacañang sa Sugbo, Fuente Osmeña rotunda and Colon St. near Gaisano Metro.
Comendador, however, said they have stepped up the security measures as the police will also be securing foreign dignitaries visiting the city today.
The CCPO has designated two platoons from the Security and Service Group to manage the crowds, while police operatives in all the 11 stations were placed on call to quickly respond if more law enforcers are needed.
Most demonstrators will opt to hold their activities in Cebu City, said Valmoria. But since many of them have to pass Talisay and Consolacion to get to Cebu City, he said they will still be ready for them.
Ready
“They have the right to express their sentiments but also, they must observe the rule of law,” Valmoria told reporters.
He declined to say what counter-measures they have in mind.
Valmoria said the deployment of personnel will be maximized on the streets, including those in the towns.
If they are interested in hearing the President’s message, Valmoria said they could always read about it in the papers the next day.
Vacation leaves that have already been approved are still in effect but if they suddenly receive a directive from higher headquarters upgrading the alert status to full alert, he said all leaves will be cancelled.
During last year’s Sona, only the National Capital Region was on full alert while the rest of the regions were placed on heightened alert, he recalled. (MEA/JST)
THEY may be “toy” guns but possessing unregistered units or selling them without permit could mean real sanctions.
Chief Insp. Jacinto Cesar, newly appointed head of the PNP Firearms Explosives Security Agencies and Guards Supervisory Section (Fesagss) 7, gave this warning to distributors and users of airsoft pistols and rifles.
Cesar, who took over from Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, echoed the warning that Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Avelino Razon gave at the Defense and Sporting Arms Show in Manila last week.
The PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (FED), mother agency of the Fesagss, now require airsoft organizations to register the replica guns owned by members in
compliance with PNP Circular 11, dated Dec. 4, 2007.
The circular tones down rules laid down previously, particularly a letter of instruction during the Martial Law years that mandates the outright confiscation of any firearm replica.
The PNP circular also requires stores intending to import, distribute or sell airsoft replica guns to seek license from the FED or face sanctions.
Prohibition
As stated in the circular, airsoft replica guns may not be brought out of one’s residence for warfare simulation games without permits to transport, the same policy applied
to firearms used in real shooting competitions.
Stores selling replica guns without licenses may be subject to criminal prosecution, while the firearms can be subject to confiscation and destruction.
Records show that there are a total of 66 registered airsoft enthusiasts’ clubs in Central Visayas, with a combined arsenal of 2,819 airsoft pistols and rifles.
Fesagss issued serial numbers for each gun declared by the airsoft group and required that the serial number be attached to the gun as a requirement for registration.
The guns are then stenciled for record purposes.
SPO1 Alejandro Jarina Jr. of the Fesagss 7 enforcement division said only two airsoft stores in Cebu are accredited by their office. The accreditation papers of three other stores are still being processed.
Jarina said other dealers are having difficulties with the accreditation because of certain requirements, particularly the need to submit a bank certificate showing at least P200,000 in deposits. (KNR)
