PNP warns of fake cops extorting money from gun owners

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Beware of fake policemen barging into your houses, police said.

Operation plan “Katok”, a project of Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosive Office conducting house visitations tracing loose firearm owners, was apparently taken advantage of by extortionists and scammers, PNP spokesperson Reuben Theodore Sindac said Wednesday.

Sindac, in a press briefing, said that there had been complaints of scammers, who pose as police officials, telling gun owners that their firearms are unregistered. They would then ask for cash as penalty.

In the PNP-FEO’s Oplan Katok, police officers conduct a door-to-door visit to the addresses of firearms holders who did not renew their licenses. The law requires holders of unregistered guns with expired licenses to register and renew through a final general amnesty.

“Do not deal with them in front of your homes or in public places. If you think you are being victimized by these extortionists, report this immediately to the nearest police station,” he said.

Sindac  said that policemen conducting Oplan Katok will only remind the gun holders at their doorstep to renew their expired license.

“There is no money or no financial remuneration involved,” he stressed.

Sindac added that there were also reports of extortionists, who ask for solicitations pretending as policemen.

“We forewarn the public to be wary about these, some of our less concerned, unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the Yuletide Season to do scams,” he said.