The proposal to recall high-powered firearms from policemen met vehement opposition from both the rank-and-file cops as well as police officers.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said the recall of high-powered firearms from policemen, and replacing them with shotguns and night sticks, may be applicable only to urban areas.

The proposal from some police generals is reportedly aimed to prevent the loss of high-powered firearms to New People’s Army rebels during raids on remote police outposts.

Franco said they are against the proposal.

Military and police records show that rebels recovered 12 high-powered firearms, including an M60 machine gun, from a police outpost they had raided, and from two policemen who were victims of assassination in Escalante City in 2006, and two militiamen recently disarmed in Sagay City.

Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Iloilo provincial police director, confirmed yesterday the ongoing recall of excess firearms from some policemen.

De la Paz said the recall aims to address the shortage of firearms among police units in Western Visayas. He, however, added that the change of policemen’s firearms from automatic rifles to shotguns, has not been implemented because of stiff resistance from PNP members.

Police records also shows that some policemen have been issued 9mm or .45 caliber pistols, on top of the M-16 or M-14 assault rifle they also have.

The Police Regional Office 6 has already started the accounting of firearms issued to policemen in Western Visayas.

Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, regional police director, said assault rifles may only be used during emergency situations, and in the conduct of checkpoints.*GPB

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