Recall of guns issued to LGU execs ordered

CEBU, Philippines - Bayawan City Mayor German Sarana Jr. has ordered the recall of firearms issued to city officials.

The mayor’s order came after the gun, earlier issued to Councilor Mark Aurelia, went off prematurely while he was about to respond to a perceived threat to his life at the parking lot of a hospital in Dumaguete City last Sunday, and wounding himself as a result.

Sarana, in his letter to Vice Mayor Ismael Martinez and Councilors Aurelia and Jonas Trias, dated July 3, 2014, ordered the return of the Glock 17 firearms issued to them during the previous administration.

Besides Martinez, Aurelia and Trias, the others who were also issued with the same firearms were Mon Duque,  Gerome Lames, Popoy Renacia, Luis Sumalpong, Charlo Jamin and Councilor Ernesto Tijing Jr.

Aurelia however said the recall order was unfair as it only specified the firearms issued to opposition councilors and the vice mayor. He noted that the guns issued to the mayor himself and administration Councilors Alex Sison and Jun Carreon were not included in the recall.

Meanwhile, the Dumaguete City Police is now conducting an investigation into the accidental firing incident involving Aurelia.

Superintendent James Goforth, Dumaguete City Police chief, said the firearm involved in the incident was a Glock 17, with Serial No. HHY073 and firearm license No. 200010 J122096, owned by LGU Bayawan City but was reported lost last June 5.

Further investigations showed that Aurelia had executed a sworn affidavit, dated June 16, 2014 about the loss of the firearm, but the same gun was involved in the August 3, 2014 incident.

Goforth said the trajectory of the bullet showed it was accidental firing, but the City Police is mulling to file charges of illegal possession of firearms against Aurelio who is yet to present documents allowing him to carry the gun outside of his residence.

Possible perjury charges are also eyed against Aurelia for reporting the loss of the firearm, which was later found to be with him during the accidental firing incident.

Aurelia however told The Freeman that he has issued an affidavit of loss for the gun, which was only recovered last Friday.

The gun was still in custody of the Dumaguete City Police and will be submitted to the Police Crime Lab for ballistic examinations. (FREEMAN)