THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Civil Security Group filed administrative charges against five personnel of the PNP-Health Service (HS) over irregularities in the issuance of psychiatric and psychological examinations for firearms license applicants.
In an interview, CSG director Brigadier General Benjamin Silo said the five personnel -- a police major, three non-commissioned officers and a non-uniformed officer -- manipulated the results of psychiatric and psychological examinations from August 2022 to February 2023.
They were charged with grave irregularity in the performance of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and grave misconduct before the Internal Affairs Service.
Silo said 377 applicants who were supposed to get a failing grade passed the psychiatric and psychological examinations during the said period.
He said they have already revoked their firearms licenses.
He added that each applicant, based on the affidavits of some of them, paid P30,000 to P35,000 for the falsified result.
“Well, hindi na natin tingnan yung kinikita nung mga luko-luko na ito eh. Tingnan lang natin ‘yung epekto sa publiko (we will not look at the income of these crooks. Let's just see the effect on the public). Kung makahawak ng baril is psychotic (If a psychotic can hold a gun), imagine the danger it can give to the public. Imagine if the one holding firearms is addict, you know how big the possible effect of this to the society,” said Silo.
He said they will also be charged with graft and corruption and violation of Republic Act 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business,” before the Office of the Ombudsman. (SunStar Philippines)