FIREPOWER BOOST Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde (left) inspects newly acquired assault rifles and pistols during “blessing” rites held at Camp Crame on Wednesday. The PNP says it has bought 13,103 rifles, 11,920 9mm pistols and 551 machine guns, as well as 310 motorcycles in line with its P2.1-billion equipment upgrade. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
PNP upgrade: P2B worth of guns, motorbikes
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired what it considers to be three years- worth of new firearms and motorcycles under a P2-billion capability enhancement program.
Among the new equipment formally presented at Camp Crame on Wednesday were 13,103 Israeli-made basic assault rifles; 551 Negev light machine guns (7.62mm and 5.56mm); 11,920 pistols (9mm), and 310 Kawasaki Versys motorbikes (650cc).
“This is a huge help in our fight against criminality. It will help in police visibility and enhance our mobile forces,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said.
The rifles and machine guns will be for the use of mobile forces and the PNP Maritime group, while the pistols will be issued mainly to fresh recruits. —Jaymee T. Gamil
6 ‘pot smokers’ yield after mocking Duterte in video
Six men who were earlier seen in a now-viral video smoking marijuana while taunting President Rodrigo Duterte have surrendered to the Malabon City police, after the clip prompted authorities to search for them.
The Northern Police District identified them as Comelio Aguilar Jr., 22; Kurt Edison Aflo, 22; Emmanuel Guerrero 23; Ran-ran Santos 23; Cedrick Acharon, 21; and Juaneil Arvie Isles, 18. Said to be from the same neighborhood in Barangay Tugatog, Malabon, they turned themselves in accompanied by their relatives, first to barangay officials on Tuesday afternoon.
They were later placed under police custody, where they were made to undergo drug tests and could face charges if found positive. —Aie Balagtas See