Ecija police keeps 500 firearms before COCs for midterm polls are filed

CABANATUAN CITY – At least 486 firearms, with expired licenses, were placed under police custody before politicians start filing their certificates of candidacy for the 2019 midterm elections this week.

Senior Supt. Eliseo Tanding, Nueva Ecija police director, presented the inventory of weapons to the media at the provincial police headquarters on Tuesday. Among the weapons were 329 handguns, 67 shotguns, and four high-powered rifles.

Tanding said the firearms were voluntarily deposited by owners and government offices.

The gun owners failed to renew their licenses to possess or carry these weapons, Tanding explained. The weapons will be returned to them once they secure new licenses.

People seeking congressional, senatorial or local government seats are expected to start filing their candidacies on Thursday. ARMAND GALANG