Ebdane recalls guns issued to PNP officers

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. ordered yesterday all senior police officers from star rank to inspectors to return all government firearms issued to them.

Director Jose Lalisan Jr., PNP personnel chief, said Ebdane recalled the guns so these can be distributed to policemen in the field.

"This is an immediate order issued by the PNP chief," he said. "Most senior officers have their own personal firearms, unlike the lowly policeman who cannot even afford to buy their own."

Lalisan said the majority of senior police officers perform administrative duties, as compared to those engaged in operations against kidnappers, car thieves and other criminals.

Generals and other police officers could be good models for other policemen if they give up their government-issued firearms, he added.

Lalisan said at least P100 million of the PNP’s budget for next year had been allocated for the upgrading of crime-fighting equipment.

The PNP will buy at least 75 heavy duty patrol vehicles and about 2,500 pieces of short firearms, he added.

Records at the PNP Public Information Office show that 18 to 20 percent of the 108,000-strong police force have not been issued firearms.

This means a shortage of 19,440 to 21,000 handguns. – Christina Mendez