Mayor recalls firearms issued to brgy officials

 Mayor Tomas Osmeña has recently sent demand letters to barangay captains and other officials to return the city-owned firearms issued to them.

During his press conference yesterday, the mayor clarified that he wants to issue the firearms, especially the shotguns, to the security personnel who would be assigned to the South Road Properties.

Osmeña said he wants to secure SRP because of reports that stray dogs are again getting into the area and preying on wild ducks and other birds in the wetland portion of the 295-hectare facility.

The mayor wants to protect and preserve the wild ducks, herons, snipes and other migratory birds that visit the SRP. A portion of the 40-hectare Pond B is home to 40 species of birds, including egrets, seagulls, the Philippine duck and herons.

Among those who were sent demand letters are Sudlon II barangay captain Prescillo Albores and Zapatera barangay tanod Peter Visitacion.

"You are directed to immediately return the city-owned shotgun issued to you on December 21, 2005," Osmeña said in his letter to Albores dated January 24.

The city has issued a 20-gauge shotgun to Albores and a .38 caliber to Visitacion.

Osmeña said he wants to issue the recalled firearms to the members of the Barangay Intelligence Network, police and other security personnel who would be detailed at the SRP.

He said he also wants the firearms recalled because he wants to see if they are still in good condition. "Once in a while, I recall the firearms for inspection, if they are still there or if they are still in working condition so I presume they will return them unless they are not there anymore."

The mayor added he sees nothing wrong with the issuance of firearms to barangay tanods and captains as long as they are properly licensed and used within the premises of City Hall's property.

"SRP is like the City Hall. It is supposed to be a secured zone because it is PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) accredited. They (guards) are not running around Colon or Fuente. They are supposed to be in-house security," Osmeña said.

There have been several oppositions and concerns in the past about arming the barangay officials and tanods because they may become prone to abuse.

Osmeña, however, said ever since he issued firearms to barangay officials, he did not receive any complaint over the abuse of firearms.

He said he issued the firearms to the barangay officials so that they would perform their duties without fear. "We have not gotten into a case that they run into encounter or received any complaint regarding abuse in their firearms like pointing at people."

But for now, he said he recalled the firearms because he wanted to secure the SRP. The city is hoping to close a deal with at least three major investors this year. - Wenna A. Berondo/LPM