PNP revokes gun licenses of 72 officials on Duterte’s drug list

The Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has revoked the licenses for at least 380 firearms owned by 72 of 156 politicians, judges, police and military personnel included on the “drug list” of President Rodrigo Duterte.

If the 72 government officials— 44 politicians, 27 members of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies and one judge— would not surrender their guns after the FEO revoked their licenses, FEO Deputy Director Senior Supt. Jose Malayo said they can be charged with possessing loose firearms.

READ: Rody names politicians, judges, cops allegedly into illegal drugs

In an interview at Camp Crame, Malayo urged the officials to turn over their firearms to the police station nearest to them. The local police station will then bring the surrendered guns to the FEO.

Only 49 of the 380 loose firearms have been turned over to the PNP so far.

Malayo said officials who will not surrender their guns “will be subjected for the law enforcement operations and application for the search warrant in accordance to the procedure.”

Included in the 72 officials was Talitay Vice Mayor Abdul Wahab Sabal of Maguindanao, who was recently arrested outside the Cotabato Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat town for his alleged involvement in the deadly bombing in Davao City that killed 14 persons and hurt 71 others.

READ: Maguindanao VM nabbed for drugs being linked to Davao blast

Malayo said the FEO revoked the licenses for Sabal’s nine firearms, five short firearms and four high-powered firearms.

During the arrest, police also found a .45 caliber pistol, M16 rifle, two hand grenades, and a 60 millimeter mortar round inside the vice mayor’s vehicle. IDL/rga