Buenafe to prioritize SWAT if BOC donates gun parts

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe welcomes Cebu South District Representative Tomas Osmeña’s efforts to have the Bureau of Customs regional office donate their recently-seized firearms to the local police.

As he expressed gratitude, Buenafe pointed out that Osmeña’s move “shows that he is concerned with the Philippine national police in addressing their anti-crime demands.”

The city police director strongly hopes that it will soon be materialized so that the police can have new and modern equipment at their disposal to effectively maintain peace and order throughout the city.

Buenafe said the CCPO really lacks firearms especially for their Special Weapons and Tactics SWAT units which needs upgrading.

“We are trying to upgrade our SWAT in terms of personnel, vehicle and equipment, but we can not do this without the help of the government,” he said.

If the BOC will grant Osmeña’s request, Buenafe said the firearms will be given to the SWAT as part of the PNPs integrated transformation program. 

“We are curtly prioritizing SWAT but kun naay sobra, ato pud na i-hatag sa atong mga police stations,” he said 

Customs district collector Ronnie Silvestre earlier said Osmeña should formalize his request through a letter addressed to their commissioner for proper approval. As of yesterday, Osmeña have not made his formal request yet.

 Silvestre, on the other hand, said they are still investigating the real identity of the confiscated shipment’s consignee. 

This was after the shipment’s broker, Rafael Rubio, denied any involvement, saying he was simply the signing broker and alleged that a certain Nelson Arnoco, a processor, was the direct contact of the shipment’s importer. 

Last week, the BOC seized around P3.5 million worth of misdeclared items which included several parts for M16 and M14 high-powered rifles along with six dismantled big bikes, toys and furniture among others.  (FREEMAN)