Tan’s security man gets coveted gun permit

Taipan Lucio Tan’s chief security aide is now a privileged holder of a permit to carry a gun outside his home.

Retired Col. Francisco Agudon, who is chief security officer of Fortune Tobacco Corp., received the coveted Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) this year.

Since assuming office last year, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson has issued a total of 258 PTCFORs, all but one (Tarlac Gov. Jose Yap’s permit) being issued this year.

Since last January, Lacson has approved the PTCFORs of President Estrada’s son Jude, and movie stars Fernando Poe Jr., Eddie Garcia, Paquito Diaz, and George Estregan Jr.

The President’s friends – Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., Ramon Ang, Caloocan Rep. Luis Asistio, and Philippine Gaming Corp. president Reynaldo Tenorio –are also in the list.

Other privileged PTCFOR holders are: Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Basilan Rep. Abdulgani Salappudin, four justices of the Sandiganbayan, and Philip Sigfried Fortun, counsel of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.

Chief Superintendent Ricardo de Leon, head of the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG), said Presidential Decree 1866, or the Firearms and Explosives Law, states that "the chief of the Constabulary may, in meritorious cases as determined by him...may impose, authorize such person or persons to carry (guns) outside of residence."

De Leon said the PTCFOR may only be issued to people whose lives are under "actual threat," and those occupying positions that require security.

"It (PTCFOR) is a privilege," he said. "It’s not a matter of right because we will be the one to determine and not them (who should be provided with PTCFOR)."

De Leon said the CSG has jurisdiction over the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) under Superintendent Reynaldo Varilla, which is responsible for the issuance of gun licenses and PTCFORs.

De Leon said about 240 more people have pending applications for PTCFOR with the FED, following the submission of complete requirements and Lacson’s approval.

They include Tarlac Rep. Benigno Aquino III, Malabon-Navotas Rep. Federico Sandoval, and Camarines Sur Rep. Salvador Escudero Jr.

De Leon said a total of 3,754 PTCFORs are set to expire in the next few months.–Christina Mendez