Razon to effect firearms policy in his first 100 days as PNP chief

By Ronron
October 3, 2007

Newly-installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. will be effecting some changes in the current firearms disposition in the organization during his first 100 days in the position.

This, as he acknowledged that there is a shortage of about 21,000 short firearms in the 120,000-strong PNP.

In his Commander’s Manual, which sets his goals and plans as PNP chief until September 27 of next year, Razon said there will be an accounting in the organization as to who among its personnel have double or multiple issuances, or ownership of firearms so that any extra firearm will be given to those who have none.

“As a general rule, a Police personnel shall have only one issued firearm, either long or short. In the event that a PNP personnel has an issued firearm and he also has a licensed firearm, the issued firearm shall be recalled and issued to those without firearm,” Razon said.

Razon said the cross-checking will be done by the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) of the PNP.

“In the meantime that there is a firearms shortage, firearms of personnel assigned at the national headquarters (in Camp Crame, Quezon City), and in administrative National Support Units and regional headquarters shall be recalled and issued to personnel assigned in operating units,” he said.

Earlier, Razon announced that any police personnel who fails to pass the regular gun-handling proficiency tests in the PNP will be disarmed in favor of those who are qualified but unarmed. The directive is also meant to address the firearms shortage problem, aside from ensuring the safety of the community from policemen who are non-proficient in gun handling.

Moreover, Razon said high-powered firearms will also be given only to the special units of the PNP, particularly the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), District Special Project Unit (DSPU), and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit.

He said all M14 and M16 rifles will be recalled from other units and regions, especially those in Metro Manila stations, in favor of the RSAU, DSPU, and SWAT. They will then be issued with shotguns in place of the recalled rifles.

Meanwhile, all unserviceable M14 and M16 rifles on stock at the Logistics Support Service and other PNP units will have to refurbished so they can be commissioned for use, Razon said./DMS