47 percent of CV policemen have no guns

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 4,000 policemen under the Police Regional Office-7 still do not have guns, but they will soon acquire their own firearms as promised by President Benigno Aquino in his latest State of the Nation Address.

Superintendent Abner Catalla, acting head of the Regional Logistic and Research Development Division of the PRO 7, said that 47 percent or over 3,000 out of 8,392 policemen in Central Visayas either do not have the ideal caliber 9mm pistols or do not own a firearm at all.

 “Caliber .38 revolver lang ang meron sila, but ipi-phase out na iyan. Ang ibang pulis kapag binibigyan niyan, hindi na tumatanggap kasi nga, karaan na daw,” he said. He added that of that number, Catalla said that some also choose not to own a gun, particularly high-ranking officials.

Policemen with the rank of Police Officer 1 are prioritized in the distribution of firearms, Catalla said.

Aquino’s announcement is good news for the police, Catalla said.

“Firearm is important dahil basic equipment iyan ng isang pulis. That’s actually part of the uniform,” Catalla said.

He said they observe proper procurement rules for the guns to be distributed to the remaining 47%, mostly for Cebu policemen. Catalla said the percentage quarterly changes from 47% to 48% owing to the number of policemen recruited twice a year and those who retire from the service.

PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome had said that the distribution of the firearms will encourage policemen to perform their jobs better.

Meanwhile, at least 200 kilos of roundscad fish or locally known as “budburon” were confiscated and 23 illegal fishers were arrested by the Sibonga police shortly before midnight last Tuesday in Barangay Bagakay.

PO3 Dandie Mulo led the arrest of boat capt. Rodolfo Roxas, 44, and Jack Jefferey Roxas, 23, both of Misamis Oriental and their men who were from Bohol and Leyte.

Mulo and his team were conducting seaborne patrol when they chanced on the fishermen, who were released after paying the P80,000 fine yesterday afternoon.

All 200 kilos of fish were given to the two foundations of the town. — (FREEMAN)