P3.7-million guns for Quezon City jails

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Quezon City has started holding seminars on responsible gun ownership and firearms safety for jail personnel to ensure the proper handling of P3.77 million worth of firearms donated by the Quezon City government, an official said yesterday.

Quezon City jail warden Superintendent Joseph Vela said the firearms will beef up the security for the facility, considering the jail’s inmate population is the second largest in the country.

The Quezon City jail houses 3,015 inmates who are either on trial or serving sentences of three years or less.

Mayor Herbert Bautista donated P3.77 million worth of firearms for jails in Quezon City – 20 5.56 caliber Norinco rifle and 70 .40 caliber Taurus pistols as well as ammunition.

Vela said the firearms proficiency training is part of the jail’s proactive measures prior to distributing the donated firearms. He said BJMP personnel must carry arms when escorting detainees to court hearings. BJMP Director Rosendo Dial assured the Quezon City government that the firearms will be utilized properly.