Half of police have no pistols: Aquino

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III said today that shortage of guns among the 148,000 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be addressed before the end of the year.

Aquino, in a speech during the commencement of the Philippine National Police Academy, admitted that 50 percent of the PNP personnel do not own pistol issued by the PNP.

"That's why before the year ends, we are targeting to get hold of around 74,800 units of 9 millimeter pistol that we purchased under the PNP Capability Enhancement Program," he said.

With the delivery of these units, Aquino said the government could achieve the 1:1 ratio in the number of policemen and guns.

Cops who do not have service handguns issued by the PNP are being provided by the local government units where they are assigned.