PNP hires Oppus as consultant after retirement

CEBU, Philippines - Despite his retirement from the police service, Chief Superintendent Louie Oppus will continue to serve the Philippine National Police as consultant of the Firearms and Explosives Office.

PNP Chief Alan Purisima decided to take in Oppus as his consultant after the latter’s retirement today because of his effective implementation of the new guidelines in acquiring firearm’s license.

“We are doing the right thing because we are interconnected worldwide and we have good record shipping,” Oppus said.

Oppus said that the change in the procedures in acquiring firearm’s license was not intended to make it difficult for gun holders to acquire license but rather it was intended to lessen the number  of  loose firearms in the country.

“We know that some firearms are license before but some forget to renew making it as loose firearms but, through the new procedure we will be able to trace the owner of loose firearms,” he explained.

Oppus will reach today the mandatory retirement age of 56. He held the position as chief of the Firearms and Explosives  Office before his retirement. He served the PNP for 34 years and was known for his ways in implementing discipline among his subordinates.

He was a member of the Maharlika Class 1984 of the Philippine Military Academy. Oppus also served as member of the Special Action Force and as aide of former president Fidel Ramos before he was assigned as police director in Bohol province for five years. He was later designated as city director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

He likewise held the positions as deputy regional director for operations in the Police Regional Office-7 and as executive officer of Directorate for Integrated Police Office. He was transferred to Camp Crame and earned his star rank while heading the Civil Security Group before his appointment as chief of the Firearms and Explosives Division.

Oppus was also a recipient of various awards and commendations. He received a presidential merit medal from Ramos in 1998.  (FREEMAN)