MANILA – Cong. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. (1st District, Iloilo) surrendered his two remaining guns before the San Juan City police station in Metro Manila yesterday.
Three members of his congressional office staff brought to the police station a Colt 5.56 mm rifle and a .9mm pistol, and ammunitions.
“May lisensiya ito,” said Senior Superintendent Dindo Reyes, San Juan City chief of police.
On Dec. 28, Garin surrendered nine firearms to the police station in Guimbal, Iloilo while his father, Guimbal mayor Oscar Garin Sr., gave up five guns.
Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde cancelled the gun permits of the Garins after a policeman of Guimbal accused them of mauling him on Dec. 26.
“Wala na po silang karapatang magkaroon ng kahit anong firearm,” said Reyes.
Under Section 39 of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), the PNP chief or his/her authorized representative may revoke, cancel or suspend a license or permit on the grounds of commission of a crime or offense involving firearms.
According to the PNP, Congressman Garin – husband of former Health secretary Janette Garin – had 11 guns registered in his name while Mayor Garin had eight.
Mayor Garin’s three guns were declared lost. These have been formally reported to the Guimbal police station.
Guimbal police station’s Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya Jr. accused the Garins before the Office of the Ombudsman of assault upon a person in authority, grave coercion, grave threats, physical injuries, slander by deeds, serious illegal detention, alarm and scandal, grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of public officials, oppression, abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the public.
In a statement, Congressman Garin said he got irked with Macaya after a victim in a Dec. 22 commotion at the Guimbal public plaza told them the policeman persuaded him not to file the case against an attacker and that the cop forced him to sign an affidavit expressing disinterest in filing charges.
“For me, what the policeman did was a betrayal of public trust kag klaro nga pag abusar sang iya posisyon,” according to the congressman.
On his behalf Friday last week, sister Vice Gov. Christine Garin turned over to the Guimbal police three .9mm pistols, two .45 pistols, a 5.56 M14 rifle, a CZ .25 pistol, a .9mm submachine gun, and a .380 pistol.
Also now with the police were Mayor Garin’s three .45 pistols, a Colt .380 and a 12-gauge shotgun./PN
