MANILA, Philippines - You cannot buy guns over the counter.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) issued this warning, saying anyone who buys firearms without proper documents could face arrest and charges.
“Those who are interested in buying guns must make sure that they are not purchasing illegal firearms, especially high-powered and unlicensed. The public should be more aware or inquire from the FED (Firearms and Explosives Division) or even from the local police on the rules and regulations in the legal purchase of firearms,” CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao said.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas estimates that there are 25,065 loose firearms in the country.
In addition, there are 552,338 long and short firearms whose licenses have not been renewed and could be used in committing violence.
Last Nov.13, a raiding team of the CIDG confiscated an M-16 Armalite and rounds of ammunition from the house of an Ilocos Sur businesswoman who was also arrested.
Pagdilao said the CIDG operatives, armed with a search warrant, swooped down on the house of fish dealer Marivic Gliam, 43, in Barangay Danuman West, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and seized the M-16 rifle, a magazine for M-16, and numerous bullets for M-16 and .22-caliber.
Senior Inspector Napoleon Duquez, CIDG-Ilocos Sur chief, quoted Gliam as saying that the M-16 rifle was pawned to her by a certain Boyet de la Cruz, a former neighbor, for P20,000.
De la Cruz had not returned to get the M-16 since then but Gliam kept it in case he would come back.
“The CIDG is at the height of its campaign against loose firearms as the country gears up for the 2013 midterm elections, and that every loose firearm is a concern of the CIDG,” said Pagdilao.
Pagdilao said it has been observed in the past that gun-related crimes attributed to the election fever usually increase during the pre-election period.