With apparent firearms shortage, PNP eyes arming cops with confiscated loose firearms

MANILA, Philippines - Apparently faced with a shortage of firearms, the Philippine National Police is looking to equip its men with confiscated loose firearms. In a statement, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr on Tuesday said they are closely coordinating with regional trial courts for the retrieval of confiscated firearms, which he said may be issued to police units and personnel to fill the requirement for handguns, shotguns, and rifles. "Confiscated firearms submitted as evidence that become custodia legis or in the custody of the law, may be withdrawn upon termination of the court proceedings with the permission of the judicial authorities in accord with Supreme Court Memorandum Circular No. 47-98," Razon said. For his part, PNP Spokesman, Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome justified the move, saying once confiscated, the illegal firearms are forfeited in favor of the PNP. "When these loose firearms eventually become PNP property, these can be issued to police units and personnel that are in need of such equipment," Bartolome said. In the statement, Razon noted that in Region 1 alone, a total of 1,456 different types of confiscated firearms are now under custodia legis in the different branches of Regional Trial Court and Municipal Trial Courts in the region. Last year, the PNP confiscated 5,598 of these loose firearms in different police operations as conducted by PNP units. - Jane Dumaug, GMANews.TV