Thursday, January 25, 2007 Board Member Tupas has firearms with expired licenses: police
THE PNP through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CODG) Director General Edgardo Doromal on Wednesday confirmed that Board Member Niel Tupas Jr. possesses nine assorted firearms, two of which have expired licenses.
Records from the Firearm and Explosive Division in Camp Crame through Senior Superintendent Danilo Maligalig of the Records Section showed that Tupas Jr. has nine licensed firearms including seven hand guns, two of which are high powered.
Doromal said the Iloilo Provincial Capitol has 52 assorted firearms and it was surmised that some of those were used by the provincial guards at the Capitol.
Prior to the Jan. 17, 2007 incident at the Capitol, the Police Regional Office (PRO6) received intelligence reports that a group of persons including provincial guards and militant groups like Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mangbubukid ng Pilipinas and Gabriela, have openly declared their support to Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr.
On that fateful Wednesday, a baby armalite rifle issued to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol was recovered at the back part of the building, near the security outpost.
The rifle was placed inside a black leather bag. It has serial number 415791 and was found at around 5 p.m. by PO3 Vicente Demadara of the CIDG 6. Also found was its magazine containing five bullets.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Wesley Barayuga said he is now soliciting legal opinions as regards the firearm's status.
But he said there's a possibility that the gun would be returned to the Provincial Government. (RPS)
