THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is reminding security guards and their respective agencies to have their firearms registered and licensed or risk violating the election gun ban.
This after PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas disclosed that there are some security agencies in Cebu that not only failed to secure a gun ban exemption, but have personnel that are carrying unlicensed firearms.
Sinas discovered the matter following an assessment of PRO-7's Firearms Unit last Friday, February 22, as part of their security preparations for the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Cebu Sunday, February 24.
On Friday, police officers from PRO-7 apprehended four security guards from different agencies in Cebu City after they were caught carrying unlicensed firearms and "paltik" or homemade guns.
The four security guard will be facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and violating the election gun ban.
Aside from security guards, their respective agencies will also face administrative charges.
Sinas said the move serves as a warning to all firearms owners to get their guns licensed or else.
"If you have firearms whose licenses have expired, please surrender it. The point is you should follow the policy. We have been constantly reminding all gun owners of their responsibilities. We expect them to do their obligation so that they will not be apprehended," Sinas added.
Sinas revealed that one private hospital in Cebu City had to contend with security guards without any firearms after they were disarmed by their agency after some of their security guards were apprehended for carrying unlicensed guns.
He warned owners of security agencies to avoid hiring guards that have unlicensed firearms or are carrying homemade pistols as service weapons.
"Please hire security guards that have licenses. This is one way of protecting your establishment and business," Sinas added. (FMD of Superbalita Cebu/JKV)