THE REGIONAL Civil Security Unit (RCSU) revealed that former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte have updated licenses to own and possess firearms.
Also, Duterte denied the Senate witness’ claim that he and his daughter received bags of guns from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Lt Col Andrea Dela Cerna, deputy head of RCSU, told reporters at Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that they had no intelligence report regarding Quiboloy owning an arms cache.
The witness, who was reportedly a former Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) member, alleged during a Senate hearing that he personally saw the Dutertes leaving the pastor’s property carrying bags full of firearms.
“Our president has licensed firearms,” Dela Cerna said. “Our president has an updated firearm license and PTCFOR (permit to carry firearms outside residence).”
When asked about conducting an inventory of guns owned by the Former President, she said it’s no longer necessary. “As far as we are concerned our President has an updated firearm registration. Our President has a type 5 license, which we call a gun collector,” she further said.
Dela Cerna also said they do not know of any rumor that Duterte was summoned by the Firearms and Explosive Division to reveal details about his guns.
“Alam po natin former President is a gun enthusiast. I’m sure he knows well kung ano dapat gawin sa mga firearms,” she added.
Duterte denies bags of firearms
In a press conference on Tuesday evening, Duterte denied that he and the vice president received bags of guns from Pastor Quiboloy.
“Kami magtanggap ng baril kay Pastor Quiboloy? Ako pa ang mag deliver sa kaniya ng cannon bukas o machine gun. That’s a very stupid preposition (We’re receiving guns from Pastor Quiboloy? I could have delivered to him a cannon or a machine gun tomorrow. That’s a very stupid proposition), ” he said.
“It’s silly, bakit magbigay si pastor ng baril sa’kin. Saan siya kukuha? Kung magsabi siya wala siyang baril bigyan ko siya (It’s silly, why would the Pastor give me a gun? Where would he get it? If he says he has none, I’d give him one), ” the former president added.
Duterte admitted that he already owns 500 registered firearms, as he proclaimed himself an avid gun collector.
“Bili ako ng bili, pero hindi ko magamit (I keep buying, but I don’t use it),” said Duterte.
The education secretary also previously denied the allegations, dismissing them as mere “attacks” stemming from her standing as the vice president of the country.
Meanwhile, the Regional Civil Security Unit called on gun owners to renew their firearms.
“We are encouraging personally yung mga firearm holders within Davao Region to have their licenses renewed. Kung yung mga kataas taasan personality here in Davao and the country nagbibigay ng oras para i-renew ang kanilang licenses at the same time mag apply ng license to own and possess firearms much more yung fellow citizens natin na merong mga baril,” she said.
