Byron surrenders AK-47

CEBU, Philippines - Former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia surrendered his AK-47 assault rifle to the Firearms and Explosives Division of the Police Regional Office–7 the other day after he was reported to have brandished his rifle at a neighbor in Barangay Pooc, Talisay City, last Sunday.

FED chief Supt. Rex Derilo said that Garcia, accompanied by Pooc Barangay Captain Doroteo Emit, personally surrendered his firearm with the understanding that he violated the law for bringing it out of his house without a Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR).

Aside from his rifle, Garia also surrendered his license for his rifle which was issued in 2010 and valid until 2014.

“We will be recommending for the revocation of his license for violation of the policies of the PNP,” Derilo said.

He further reminded gun owners that even if they have a license, they are not allowed to carry their firearms outside their residences without the PTCFOR.

“So basically di gyud to siya pwede iyang gibuhat,” he said. 

Since last year, PNP headquarters released a memorandum prohibiting the issuance of PTCFOR for long firearms to civilians.

Also present during the turnover were representatives from the homeowners’ association of the Corona del Mar Subdivision where Garcia is the newly elected president and Filinvest Land Inc., the developer of the subdivision.

Byron, brother of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, reportedly got irked after his neighbor Wayne Morris put speed bumps to slow down traffic in front of his house.

The two got into an argument and Byron brandished his rifle, scaring the American away.

FLI lawyer Dante Ramos said they have resolved the problem regarding the security issue between them and the subdivision’s homeowners’ association.

He said through the intervention of Derilo, the security agency which was employed by the homeowners’ association has been pulled out from the subdivision and replaced by another.

“Under the PNP policies, bawal pumasok ang isang agency kung may existing agency na. There will only be one security provider, walay double-posting kay bisag unsa ang mahitabo magkagubot unya,” Derilo said.

However, Ramos said that they still have some problems regarding a certain area in the subdivisions where Garcia placed barricades to prevent FLI from developing the said area.

Following today’s meeting with the subdivisions homeowners’ association, Ramos hopes that their last problem will be finally resolved. – (FREEMAN)