PNP probes gun-for-rent scheme at Camp Crame

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao ordered yesterday a thorough investigation into reports that one of its units rents out pistols and machine guns to movie outfits for fat cash — without receipts.

Lomibao has ordered PNP Civil Service Group director Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal to look into possible violations by police officials and personnel assigned to a still-unidentified CSG unit behind the guns-for-rent scheme exposed by PO1 Jonathan Morales.

"The PNP chief ordered me to look into that. We will check if there’s any violation and then try to prevent it," Caringal told The STAR in an interview.

The investigation was triggered by an item yesterday by STAR columnist Jarius Bondoc that quoted Morales, who was once assigned to the CSG.

The CSG is in charge of accrediting private security agencies. It also issues gun licenses through its Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) and stores confiscated firearms.

Morales said the going rate for renting firearms from the CSG unit in question was P1,000 to P3,000 for each gun per day, depending on the caliber, plus meals for policemen assigned to deliver the guns to the film sets and return the firearms to Camp Crame once filming was completed.

Morales claimed the CSG unit commander also charges a retainer of P5,000 per week from each movie outfit, whether or not it has a film shooting.

In some cases, Morales said, high-powered firearms were found to be damaged when returned because low-class or reloaded bullets were used. The commander would simply mark the guns "defective," return them to the PNP armory and request replacements.

However, Caringal also said the PNP will look into Morales’ motivation in making these revelations: "He (Morales) knew the practice, as he has been in CSG for a long time before he was transferred to the intelligence unit for a reason."

According to Caringal, Morales was placed under the witness protection program in relation to the drug case against Sen. Panfilo Lacson, which surfaced during the tenure of retired PNP official Reynaldo Berroya.

"After Berroya retired, Morales remained at the CSG," Caringal said. "When I instituted reform after I assumed office almost a year ago, Morales was one of those relieved and he was assigned to the intelligence unit."

Morales, who apparently resisted his transfer, was reportedly absent without official leave (AWOL) prompting his immediate superior to withhold his paycheck. Morales later complained to the Office of the Ombudsman and was able to obtain the release of his paycheck.

Caringal also said a judge from a Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) recently wrote to FED director Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac to verify if he received eight firearms, which the court forfeited in favor of the government.

"But Cacdac learned Morales returned only six firearms," Caringal said. "Two other guns — a carbine, a light rifle with a short barrel and an Armalite (assault rifle) — were apparently left with Morales. Morales was placed under investigation and might face (charges of) malversation of public property."