Village heads in Nueva Ecija urged to put gun possession in order

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Barangay officials were urged on Monday to properly turn over possession of guns to their respective successors or have their registration renewed to avoid “police actions.”

Sr. Supt. Roberto Aliggayu, director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), said incumbent barangay heads who are leaving positions after the barangay elections should have the short certificate of registration duly accomplished in favor of their successors while reelected ones must renew their licenses.


This, as police reported that at least 29 assorted firearms formerly registered under the names of barangay officials in Nueva Ecija are “unaccounted for” and are “subject to police operation,” ranking police officials said over the weekend.

Aliggayu said the figure was part of the 131 firearms purchased by the various local government units in the province and covered by the short certificate of registration being issued to barangay captains.

Of the unaccounted firearms, police said, 10 each from the towns of San Antonio and Gen. Tinio; Science City of Munoz, 5; and Sto. Domingo,5.

Aliggayu said police conducted an audit of firearms issued to local officials, including barangay captains prior to the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, and urged them to come up with a report on their status.

“Failure to account these guns will mean we will subject them to police operations,” the police chief said, explaining this would mean application for court warrants and searches.

"They cannot deny ownership of these firearms since they have been registered under their names."

Police records showed that among the municipalities that procured guns for their security units and barangay officials were Quezon, Talugtog, Cuyapo, Sto. Domingo, San Antonio, Carranglan, the city of Gapan and the provincial government of Nueva Ecija with ten units each; Science City of Munoz,20; and Gen. Tinio town, 15.

This was disclosed even as Aliggayu reported that 23 assorted firearms were confiscated in the implementation of gun ban for the village and youth polls which run from Sept. 25 to Nov. 10, 2010.

The guns were mostly recovered in checkpoints and inspections on various establishments, Aliggyu said.

But he warned gun holders that despite the lapse of the gun ban on Nov. 10, police will continue running after loose firearms.

“Some of them are in the hands of criminal elements, some are of those who failed to renew their licenses,” he added.

By US News Agency / Asian