CEBU, Philippines - The plan of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in pushing for the legalization of loose firearms in Danao City not only pleases the illegal gunmakers in the city but also the police.
Deputy Director General Samuel Pagdilao Jr., director of the CIDG who is an avid supporter of locally made crafts, is hoping to see the industry reverting to its glory as producers of world-class and quality firearms.
Rajie, 28, of Barangay Poblacion, said that for people like them who depend on making guns for a living, they would always go for the legalization of loose firearms than hiding inside a house to do their craft.
A father of two, Rajie said it is only in gunmaking where they earn more so the trade is something that they could not afford to loose.
“Ang among pangwarta naa sa armas kung i-legalize maayo kaysa ingon ani nga sige mi’g tago-tago,” he said on a phone interview.
He added that he earns more than P10,000 a week, depending on the order. The amount is divided among them who help in meeting the order.
The .45 caliber pistol has the most number of orders among the firearms for it costs only about P8,000 to P15,000 each, depending on the kind of metal used.
Another gunmaker, 34-year-old “Jun” of Barangay Tuburan, said he used to work at the famous cooperative in Barangay Dunggoan but after it was closed and raided by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on June, he was forced to go into illegal gunmaking.
With four children to feed and send to school, “Jun” also relies on gunmaking as their only source of income.
He said he earns P25,000 a week and gives a portion to his three workers who help him in the job.
Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, provincial director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, told The FREEMAN that legalization of illegal gunmaking would favor the police because it would lessen law violators.
Comendador said that the locally made guns would then be sold by licensed dealers.
“Mas safety na siya kay dili na mabaligya basta-basta and duna na sa’y control system and we could concentrate sa dakop sa mga illegal gyud,” he said. — (FREEMAN)