PNP orders Erwin Tulfo to surrender firearms

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered radio personality Erwin Tulfo to surrender his firearms.

This came less than a week after it also recalled for review the police escorts of Tulfo and his brothers partly due to his rants against former Army chief and now Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista on his radio show.

READ: Active, retired soldiers defend DSWD’s Bautista after Tulfo outburst

READ: PNP, AFP recall Tulfo brothers’ security escorts

PNP Spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said Friday that Tulfo’s license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) already expired in May.

“The PNP has ordered for the recall or temporary custody or safekeeping of the firearms of Erwin Tulfo in as much as the license to own and possess firearms of Mr Erwin Tulfo has already expired,” Banac said in a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

With the expiration of Tulfo’s LTOPF, the broadcaster no longer has authority to keep his firearms, even if its licenses are still valid, Banac explained.

The PNP official said a notice with an “open deadline” for the surrender of the guns was sent to Tulfo on Thursday.

Tulfo, however, has already reached out to PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) and has expressed intention to renew his LTOPF, according to Banac.

In this case, Banac said, Tulfo has the option to not surrender his guns while the renewal of his LTOPF is being processed.

“But he has to show that he’s working out the requirements to complete the application process. Otherwise, the CSG-FEO (Civil Security Group-FEO) may deem it proper to apply for a search warrant,” he said.

He added Tulfo may also be arrested if he fails to comply with the order.

The PNP has yet to release information on how many firearms Tulfo has and the caliber of the guns. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)

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