Police calls on security firms to surrender high-powered guns

Philippine National Police Civil Service Group director Police Brigadier General Roberto Fajardo on Thursday urged security agencies to surrender the high-powered firearms in their possession.

This came after an incident in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental in which communist rebels allegedly disarmed five private security guards of their AK-47 rifles.

"We are investigating bakit pa sila may high-powered firearms despite the order of the President na siya na mismo 'yung nag-utos na wala dapat high-powered firearms 'yung different security agencies," Fajardo said in a press briefing.

"Kung meron man silang high-powered firearms as authorized by law, they are only allowed 10 percent of their total security guns so titingnan natin 'yung violation," he added.

Fajardo noted that it was in 2017 when President Rodrigo Duterte directed a prohibition disallowing security agencies from using high-powered weapons. Fajardo said security firms are only allowed to possess pistols and shotguns.

He said that security firms' licenses to operate may be revoked if they do not comply with the order.

Fajardo said his office is still checking how many security agencies have not yet surrendered their high-powered firearms. — BM, GMA News