Warring political bodyguards’ gun permits ordered cancelled

THE police in Pangasinan will be recommending to higher headquarters the recall of permits issued to individuals to carry firearms outside their homes.

The move was taken in connection with the executive order issued by Governor Amado Espino Jr. last week for the imposition of a total gun ban in the province in view of the rising crimes perpetrated with the use of firearms, mostly unlicensed.

Police Provincial Director Isagani Nerez said they will make a strong representation for the cancellation of permits given to individuals for them to carry their firearms outside their homes if that would make the gun ban more effective.

Nerez said aside from this, they will intensify their checkpoints and pro-active operations in order to collect loose firearms in the hands of civilians and which are being used in the commission of crimes.

Espino issued the executive order imposing total gun ban following two successive shooting incidents involving the armed bodyguards of Tayug Mayor Carlos Trese Mapili and Vice Mayor Janet Zaragoza.

Nerez earlier said holders of permits to carry firearms need not worry because they are only after loose firearms.

Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil however said he is amenable for the recall of all gun permits to
make the total gun ban in Pangasinan really more effective.

At the same time, Bataoil directed Nerez to now recall the gun permits issued to all the bodyguards of Mapili and Vice Mayor Zaragoza in view of the tense situation in Tayug.