Cops confiscate more than 500 loose firearms from eight security agencies

Police officers on Thursday, August 30, 2018, arrange the loose firearms confiscated from eight private security agencies that failed to renew their gun licenses. /PHOTO: Cathrine Gonzales, INQUIRER.net

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confiscated from June to August this year a total of 536 loose firearms from eight private security agencies.

In a press briefing, authorities said the eight security agencies are among 452 companies that failed to renew the licenses of its firearms.

Police Director Camilo Cascolan of the PNP’s Civil Security Group said the firearms had to be confiscated as “these may go to the wrong hands, to criminals, and even those who wish that they have these guns.”

He noted that the confiscated firearms include pistols, revolvers, and shotguns.

Cascolan said the recovered firearms, withheld by the companies for around three to five years, will be given to Field Training Officers, who will decide if they will destroy the guns.

He also said they have yet to identify the cases to be filed against the eight companies.

Meanwhile, Cascolan said the police served cease-to-operate orders on 76 non-compliant companies.

Some of the 76 agencies have already surrendered their firearms to the police but 376 other companies have not.

He explained that some of these companies may have already changed their business addresses.

He also warned security agencies to surrender their loose firearms. “It would be better for them to surrender the firearms,” he said.   /vvp