Extending Gun Amnesty

The Philippine National Police extends the registration of loose firearms or those with expired license up to the end of November. The program will benefit those gun owners who haven’t renewed their license for more than a year and those who owned unregistered firearms.

There are several reasons regarding this Executive Order No. 817 or the so called governments intensified campaign against loose firearms. One of them is to legitimize loose firearms and at the same time make a full account of all firearms in the country. Another reason is to reduce the chance of using loose firearms in election related crimes which will derail the realization of a peaceful, orderly and credible electoral exercise in 2010 election. Also the program wants to prevent or eradicate private army that causes widespread turmoil particularly in the provinces.

According to PNP report, there are 1,110,277 loose firearms scattered nationwide. 15,676 of them are with the threat groups while about 5,276 are with the criminal elements. Almost half of the total unregistered firearms are with the general population. On the other hand, National Secretariat of the National Firearms Control Program said that 15,394 loose firearms were registered since July 1, 2009, the start of the amnesty program.

PNP is also alarmed in the increase of crimes involving persons using untraceable guns. Lately, minors were also involved not just in petty crimes but in big-time syndicate. Reports showed that 97% of the crimes involve the use of loose firearms.

The Alvin Flores Group, who gained notoriety by using S.W.A.T or PNP designed uniform, also uses high-powered firearms. They were reportedly part of Kuratong Baleleng Group who decided to carve their own identity. The shoot-out in Greenbelt 5 was their last stop before they were gunned down in Cebu City.

In the past, there were also cases of gun pointing which led to shooting in busy streets in the city. The latest incident involves ABS-CBN reporter Sheryl Cosim in Congressional Avenue last Nov. 2. A certain Richard Ordonez stepped out of his car and points his gun to the surprised Cosim. Ordonez car had a plate no. 8 used only by Congressman. After verification, the PNP discovered that he also had 7 licensed guns.

Let’s help PNP in its drive to lessen the criminality that may still take place using an unlicensed firearms. Let’s be part of the information drive about the extension of gun amnesty program.

Be a responsible gun owner. Be a responsible citizen of our country.

Game of the Generals

Two major events occurred last week for Kabayan Action Group (Kasracom). First was the launching of Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team (BPAT) last July 16, ’09 at Amphitheatre in Malabon. The event was the culmination of a month long preparation made by Northern Police District for the project. The affair was well attended. From NPD Director Gen. Samuel Pagdilao, PCR Chief Col. Ferdinand Del Rosario, Malabon Chief of Police Col. Jessie Villanueva to barangay captains and kagawad in CAMANAVA. The agreement was signed by the high-ranking officials with the chairman of different volunteer groups that composed BPAT. Second was the personal invitation made by Gen. Pagdilao to Kabayan last Sunday. NCRPO Chief Roberto Rosales was upset that he failed to attend the BPAT launching that he vowed to give a little of his time to personally see the pet project of Gen. Pagdilao. A meeting was set in front of Citisquare mall in Letre Malabon. DD (District Director) Pagdilao proudly presented his BPAT (although it was our group Kabayan) to Gen Rosales. He mentioned that aside from the CCTV cameras NPD will install to various critical locations, he will use human resources to serve as eye in places can’t be covered by the cameras. Before the briefing ended, several members of the group including myself proceed to LRT station in Monumento. We work with Caloocan police led by Col. Santos in traffic management around the vicinity. Minutes later, Gen. Rosales arrived with his convoy. He talked with us and was even impressed with our uniform who looks the same as the new sky blue uniform of PNP. He even noticed our dog tag and asked how much we spent for it. 20 minutes later, Gen. Rosales left with thumbs-up sign.

Joining of Forces Starts

Last Sunday, June 14, the grand motorcade dubbed as “Ang Kapulisan at Mamamayan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaayusan” was a rousing success if the number of participants would be the measuring stick. Our group Kabayan (Kasracom) led the 2 hour long parade with other volunteer groups like Red Lions, CAAG, Big Dogs, Patrol 117, Guardians etc. Led by the newly appointed District Director Atty. Samuel Pagdilao, focus of the project was for the PNP and NGO’s to work hand in hand for the progress of CAMANAVA area. We will now be part of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) which in simple term will be a force multiplier of police personnel. The task is not new with us since our group was created mainly to assists the PNP on their campaign against crime and violence, drug abuse and illegal activities.

The parade kicked off a/a 0900H. Gen. Pagdilao was assisted by Chief of Police of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela with Police Community Relations (PCR) Chief Major Del Rosario as the over-all coordinator. We then followed the planned route from Monumento circle, Mcarthur Highway, Tatawid, Tugatog, C-4 and C-3 road and back to Dagat-Dagatan. The motorcade was just a prelude to a bigger event which is the launching of BPAT. The launching might take place next month, July, if all the necessary papers will be finalized.

Kabayan back in the limelight!

Last Friday, during our weekly meeting at Kabayan Headquarters, our adviser Sgt. Lim relayed to us what happened in the meeting with new Northern Police District Director, Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao. The former PNP Spokesman arranged a meeting with all the NGO’s of Camanava to discuss his plan of forming one solid team out of all the volunteer groups in Camanava. He also wants to issue uniform which is similar to what the PNP personnel are using, the blue shirt. That makes our Chairman wonder if the plan will push through since we all know the reason why PNP replaced their old uniform. But Pagdilao said that an I.D. will be given along with the proposed uniform. Coronel Pagdilao is so accommodating like all of the former officers who were assigned to handle the NPD top post. Bataoil, Druja and Tango were some of his colleagues whom we worked hand in hand for the past several years.

Before the meeting was adjourned, a surprised visitor came. No less than Col. Jack Ramos, Station Commander of PCP 4 in Malabon, asked for our assistance for their saturation drive on Sunday. He was so concern about the increase in crime rate involving minors. He even mentioned the law passed by Senator Francis Pangilinan pertaining to minors. The law states that if a 15 yrs.old or below commits a crime, he will be absolve. Confusing since curfew takes effect on 18 yrs. old and below.

The recent developments were again morale booster for the group where two high ranking officials recognized the existence of Kabayan, being the most active crime buster group in Camanava.

I'll keep you updated with our activities next time.