PNP probes disbarred lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating a disbarred lawyer who allegedly submitted a fake neuro-psychia-tric clearance to support his application for a gun license that allowed him to own 15 firearms.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to conduct the probe upon the recommendation of chief Directorial Staff Deputy Director General Francisco Uyami Jr.

Marquez said the investigation would cover the possible administrative and criminal offenses committed by Magdaleno Peña, a disbarred lawyer from Negros Occidental, and the firearms dealer that facilitated the documentation and sale of several high-powered firearms to him.

Chief Superintendent Teresita Dumlao, director of the PNP Health Service, informed the Civil Security Group that the neuro-psychiatric clearance of Peña “does not bear the genuine signatures of authorized PNP officials.”

Dumlao did not disclose how she discovered the apparent questionable document.

Superintendent Ronaldo Santos, chief of the PNP General Hospital’s neuro-psychiatric section, certified that his signature in the clearance submitted by Peña was forged.

Records show there are seven shotguns and eight pistols registered under the name of Peña.