Lawmaker wants gun licenses restored

La Union Rep. Tomas Dumpit has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reconsider its decision revoking his firearm licenses after he, together with other suspects, was tagged in the Jan. 12 gunslaying of the election supervisor of Bauang, La Union.

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao said Dumpit’s appeal is now being reviewed.

Earlier, the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) revoked the lawmaker’s firearm licenses and permits to carry guns outside his residence.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Dionisio, CSG director, made the move after murder charges were filed against Dumpit, his son, former Army Lt. Col. Tomas Jr., Caba, La Union Vice Mayor Clyde Crispino, SP01 Eduardo Banay Jr., and Armen Mato, among others, for the killing of Bauang election supervisor Felimon Asperin Jr.

The CSG also revoked the firearm licenses and permits to carry guns outside residences of Dumpit Jr., Crispino, Banay and Mato.

The CSG also ordered the five to surrender their firearms to the CSG’s Firearms and Explosives Division (FED).

Based on FED records, Dumpit had licenses for three Armalite rifles, a 9mm Ingram, a caliber .45 pistol, and a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver.

His son’s gun permits, on the other hand, were for an Armalite rifle, a caliber .223 rifle, an HK caliber .45 pistol, and a 9mm Glock pistol. — Jaime Laude