PNP bans tucking of guns in waist

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is drafting an order that would prohibit civilians and policemen in plainclothes from tucking their hand guns in their waistbands in public view.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa told reporters yesterday that the order was an offshoot of video footage taken last July 5 by ABS-CBN showing the president of AMA Computer College manhandling a gasoline station attendant in Quezon City while his .45 caliber pistol was tucked in his waist.

The order will be out by next week, Verzosa said.

“We will issue an appropriate circular to PNP personnel and that will be charged with administrative offenses... We will also make the provision clear in the permit to carry for civilians. All of those should be kept and carried using hand bags and clutch bags,” Verzosa told reporters at yesterday’s opening of the 2009 Defense and Sporting Arms Show at SM Megamall.

He said policemen who would be found displaying their pistols while in civilian clothes would be slapped with an administrative case while civilians would have their gun licenses and permits revoked.

“Just like a civilian taken in a video strangling and threatening a gasoline attendant with his .45 pistol tucked at his waist. We noticed that such instances of carrying guns are to instill fear among people,” Verzosa said in Filipino.

He said he immediately ordered the revocation of license and permit to carry gun of AMA president Charles Sullivan.