The Davao Police Regional Office has warned incumbent and newbie politicians who keep unlicensed firearms.
This, as several unlicensed guns and assorted bullets were seized by the authorities from a barangay chair and his companion in Kapalong, Davao del Norte in an operation conducted last Friday.
“Do not wait for us to conduct an operation against you,” Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, the police regional director, issued the warning to the politicians during a press briefing held yesterday at Camp Quintin Merecido in Barangay Communal, Buhangin District.
“I’m telling (you) to surrender (your) unlicensed firearms or deposit those in police stations for safekeeping while processing (your) documentary requirements (for firearms registration),” Morales said
Morales said that those applying permit to carry firearms during the election period can apply at the regional office of the Commission on Elections.
On Friday at 9 p.m., police officers raided the house of Barangay Captain Edgar Allan Quilla in Barangay Mabantao, Kapalong and seized several unlicensed firearms and bullets.
Police Major Jason Baria, the spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 11, said the joint elements of the Regional Mobile Force battalion, the Regional Intelligence Division, and the Kapalong Municipal Police Station were armed with search warrant issued by Vice Executive Judge Ma. Susana Baua of Regional Trial Court Branch 8 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Police recovered a caliber .45 colt MK IV; caliber .45 Norinco 1911; six caliber .45 magazine; 47 caliber .45 ammunition; 9mm ammunition; three m16 ammunition; three caliber .38 ammunition; four caliber .22 ammunition and a caliber .380 ammunition.
Aside from Quilla, police also arrested Rolando Pamat as he was caught in possession of a caliber .38 revolver loaded with seven live bullets.
The suspects are temporarily detained at the Kapalong Municipal Police Station pending the filing of charges.
Morales said everyone has the right to own a firearm as long as it is properly licensed.
Either for self-defense or gun enthusiast, “we just want them to follow the rules and regulation,” Morales said.
