Security firms’ high-powered guns turned over to PNP, a week before Resorts World attack

Security agencies, including the one manning Resorts World Manila, have agreed as early as last week to turn over their high-powered firearms to the Philippine National Police for safekeeping.

Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, head of the Philippine National Police Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA), said that in line with this, the agencies' respective permits to carry high-powered firearms have likewise been revoked.

Espino, in a press conference, said this was “in compliance with the presidential instruction to prohibit the security agencies from using high-powered firearms.”

“They are limited to the use of shotguns and handguns only,” Espino added.

The police official said following the issuance of a memorandum signed by Civil Security Group chief Director Federico Dulay last May 26, a number of security agencies has turned over their high-powered firearms to SOSIA for safekeeping.

“This recall and turnover of high-powered firearms is a pro-active security measure to deny the so-called  ‘enemies of the state’ an opportunity to get hold of these firearms through raids [and] agaw-armas, victimizing unsuspecting security guards,” he said.

With the declaration of martial law in Mindanao on May 23, SOSIA required all private security agencies based in and with deployment in the southern part of the country to see to it that their security guards are wearing the prescribed uniform in the performance of their duties.

As of Thursday, a total of 386 high-powered firearms are in the custody of the PNP.

Prior to the recall of its permit to carry high-powered firearms, NC Lanting Security Specialist Agency, tasked to man Resorts World Manila, have been authorized for the past year by the PNP-SOSIA to carry high-powered guns within the compound of the casino-hotel.

Security agencies were earlier allowed to have in their possession high-powered rifles representing no more than 10 percent of the number of security guards to beef up their firepower capability while serving their clients such as banks, and other financial institutions, mining companies, and those in remote areas.

Earlier in the day, a lone gunman attacked Resorts World Manila by shooting LED monitors, burning gaming tables at the casino-hotel, and stealing chips, the suspect holed up in one of the rooms, set himself on fire, and then shot himself to death.

At least 35 people died from suffocation from the fire, while 54 others were injured. — MDM, GMA News