Hotheaded school executive loses gun permit

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) revoked yesterday the privilege of a vice president of a computer school to own a gun and carry it outside his residence after he allegedly manhandled a gasoline boy in Quezon City last week.

Charles Sullivan was caught on video allegedly attacking Alfredo Gallaza, a gasoline boy at a Petron station at the corner of Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues in Barangay Laging Handa at around 11 a.m. on July 6. His firearm was seen tucked in his waistband.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, who saw the video, immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the matter to prevent a repeat of the incident.

Director German Doria, chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, said the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) ordered Sulivan to surrender his .45 caliber pistol.

“Based on our assessment, he is not fit to carry a gun because he has a problem with his temper,” said Doria during a press conference at the PNP Press Office.

The STAR tried but failed to get Sullivan’s side of the story.

Police said Sullivan arrived at the station and presented his fleet card to have his gas tank filled. As a matter of procedure, Gallaza told Sullivan to wait as they would verify his card. It was then that Sullivan allegedly alighted from his vehicle and tried to strangle Gallaza.

Doria said Sullivan’s actions prompted Verzosa to take action by ordering FED to cancel his license and permit to carry firearms outside the residence (PTCFOR).

He said owning a gun is a privilege that comes with responsibility.

“Guns should be kept away from the public. It should be in a clutch bag and should not be in plain sight,” Doria said.

The PTCFOR is supposed to be given to individuals with imminent death threats. However, some civilians were given the privilege to secure PTCFOR, he said.

Although Sullivan has no death threat, Doria said the PNP banked on his standing in a reputable school when he was allowed to own a firearm and secure a PTCFOR.