MANILA, Philippines?The Philippine National Police (PNP) stood by its order to revoke all the firearms licenses it had issued to a man accused of pointing a gun at ABS-CBN news anchor Cheryl Cosim during a traffic altercation.
Chief Supt. Ireno Bacolod, Civil Security Group (CSG) chief, rejected the plea of Richard Ordoņez for the PNP to reconsider its decision to cancel the permits for his six firearms after he was sued by Cosim for grave threats and illegal possession of firearms.
Cosim, 35, said Ordoņez threatened to shoot her and her three companions after his vehicle nearly sideswiped her sport utility vehicle on Congressional Avenue in Quezon City on Nov. 2.
For public safety
In a letter to Ordoņez?s lawyer Redemberto Villanueva, Bacolod said the mere filing of criminal cases against gun owners ?would warrant revocation of license to ensure public order and safety.?
?We regret to inform you that your request is hereby denied by [the CSG] and its previous decision sustained for the revocation of the firearms licenses [issued to] Mr. Richard C. Ordoņez,? Bacolod said.
?A license is merely a privilege to do what otherwise would be unlawful and it is not a contract between the authority granting it and the person to whom it is granted,? he added, quoting a court decision involving a similar case.
Instead of appealing the revocation of his gun permits, Ordoņez should just surrender all his firearms, PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, said.
Based on CSG records, Ordoņez failed to renew the permits for the four handguns and two rifles which were previously registered under his name.
?As the regulating agency for firearm ownership and possession, the PNP will not tolerate unwarranted actions and abuses by irresponsible gun owners,? Espina said in a statement.
