Duterte: Aquino must name new PNP chief to sign gun permits

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on President Benigno Aquino III to appoint a new chief of the Philippine National Police, the only officer who could issue much-needed gun permits.

The PNP suspended the issuance of gun permits after Director General Alan Purisima was suspended last December.

Duterte said licensed gun owners, especially those who have received threats to their lives, might be violating the law by carrying their guns without permits.

“People are getting threats and they travel without permits to carry their guns,” he said.

Authority for Espina

Duterte said he had also asked Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to give the PNP officer in charge, Deputy Director Leonardo Espina, authority to sign permits to carry.

Duterte said the appointment of a PNP chief would also fill the vacuum in the police leadership.

“Mr. President, there is really a vacuum in the leadership of the police. Please appoint one, even if it is only coterminous,” he said.