PNP cancels Garins' gun permits after assault on cop

MANILA, Philippines (Updated: 5:40 p.m.) — The police on Thursday ordered the cancellation of the permits to carry firearms of Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin (Iloilo) and his father Guimbal, Iloilo mayor Oscar Garin after they reportedly assaulted a cop.

In a statement, Director General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police chief, ordered the cancellation of the Garins’ Licenses to Own and Possess Firearms and Permits to Carry Firearms outside Residence as administrative sanction.

Albayalde’s order came after police started investigating the Garins for allegedly beat up PO3 Federico Macaya.

The police chief said that the Garins would be duly notified of the action, and be “commanded to immediately turn-in all their registered firearms to the PNP.”

Guns subject to confiscation

Citing the police database, the PNP said that Rep. Garin is the registered owner of 11 firearms, three of which have expired licenses.

Mayor Garin owns eight firearms, five of which have expired licenses.

“All these firearms are now subject to confiscation upon revocation of their License to Own and Possess Firearms, effectively making them ineligible to own and possess guns,” Albayalde added.

Earlier on Thursday, Bulalacao, said that he had “cancelled the detail of two PNP security personnel of [Congressman] Garin.”

Cancel Mayor Garin's power over police

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, Region 6 police director, earlier said that he would ask the Department of Interior and Local Government to also cancel the deputation of the elder Garin. Doing that would revoke his power over the Guimbal Municipal Police Station.

Under the Local Government Code of the Philippines, local government units and provincial governments exercise authority over police stationed in their area. The National Police Commission may revoke this authority.

Duterte orders charges vs Garins

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would direct Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to file a criminal case against the two politicians.

“I will ask General Año to take a look why it happened, investigate. But I will—I’m not urging him. I’m ordering him to file a case against the two,” the president told reporters on Wednesday night.

Año, for his part, assured that the Garins would face the law.

“Case will be filed against the Garins. This kind of abuse will not be tolerated and this is a clear ground for the possible removal of Mayor Garin’s deputation over the local PNP,” the DILG chief added. — Kristine Joy Patag