THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, August 22, urged security agencies to surrender high-powered firearms in their possession.
PNP-Civil Security Group (CSG) acting Director Roberto Fajardo said they will conduct “Oplan Tokhang” among security agencies that will refuse to voluntarily surrender their high-powered firearms.
“We will issue cease to operate at hindi namin ire-renew ‘yung kanilang license to operate. I-tokhang na natin yang may mga high powered firearms na i-surrender, kasi ang tokhang ay pakiusap na i-turn over ‘yung kanilang high powered,” he said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
"President na ang nag utos na wala dapat high powered firearms ang mga different security agencies. Unang-una wala dapat silang high powered firearms kasi hindi naman sila trained to use high powered firearms so ire-revoke namin ‘yung mga licenses," he added.
Fajardo made the statement after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked the quarry site of Minergy Coal Power Plant and took the AK-47 assault rifles of the five company guards who were then on duty.
The official said the communist rebels may be able to use the seized firearms against the government forces.
He said the CSG is already conducting an investigation on the possible lapses of the security guards as well as of the AY-76 security agency on why they still have high-powered firearms.
Fajardo said since 2017, civilians and security agencies are no longer allowed to possess high powered and long firearms.
He said a shotgun is the longest firearm that a security agency can possess. (SunStar Philippines)