THE local government of Zamboanga City is set to purchase 50 rifles for the city police office as part of its continuing support and assistance to law enforcement agencies.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said he already signed the allotment release for the purchase of 50 assault rifles for the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO).

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Lobregat said the purchase of assault rifles have been planned long ago but the delay in the processing of documents and the authority to purchase the firearms empeded the plan.

"But all that (documents) have already been fixed and we will purchase all these (firearms) very soon," Lobregat added.

He said the City Government is also set to turn over to the ZCPO the newly constructed building for the Police Station 9 in Ayala village in Zamboanga City's west coast.

He said buildings for the Community Police Action Centers (Compacs) are also under construction for Recodo and Calarian villages.

He vowed that the local government's commitment to assist and support the police will continue in a bid to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the city.

The local police had been a recipient of numerous aids from the City Government, which include infrastructures, vehicles, computers, motorized bancas, gasoline allocations and allowances for the policemen. (Bong Garcia)