PHILIPPINE NATIONAL Police (PNP) Director General Oscar D. Albayalde has ordered the cancellation of the license to own and permit to carry firearms of Guimbal Mayor Oscar G. Garin, Sr. and his son, Iloilo 1st District Rep. Oscar Richard S. Garin Jr., after they mauled a town cop.
“I have ordered the cancellation of all Permits to Carry Firearms outside of Residence (PTCFOR) and License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) issued by the PNP in favor of Iloilo 1st District Rep. Richard Garin and incumbent Mayor Oscar Garin of Guimbal, Iloilo as an administrative action to their involvement in a criminal case involving the use of firearms,” Mr. Albayalde said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 27.
“Our firearms information database indicate that Rep. Richard Garin is the registered owner of eleven (11) firearms, three (3) of which have expired licenses, while Mayor Oscar Garin is the registered owner of eight (8) firearms, five (5) of which also have expired licenses. All these firearms are now subject to confiscation upon revocation of their License to Own and Possess Firearms, effectively making them ineligible to own and possess guns,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is removing the authority of the Guimbal mayor over the local police.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año, in a statement on Thursday, said the mauling incident “is a clear ground for the withdrawal of Mayor Garin’s authority over the local Philippine National Police (PNP) unit.”
“What the congressman and the mayor did was abuse of authority and display of arrogance; a conduct unbecoming of men in authority and well-deserving of punishment. I… will order the removal of Mayor Garin’s deputation authority over the Guimbal police once the investigation results are out,” Mr. Año said,
He added that criminal and administrative charges will also be filed after the probe is concluded.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte said late Wednesday that he is “ordering him (Mr. Año) to file a case against the two.”
The father and son politicians reportedly held Police Officer 3 Frederico Macaya Jr. at gunpoint and in handcuffs at the Guimbal Public Plaza, where the younger Garin “mauled, spat at and slapped” the cop, according to the DILG.
Mr. Macaya Jr. has already filed criminal charges for physical jnjuries, assault upon a person in authority, alarm and scandal, grave coercion and grave threats.
Mr. Albayalde said the PNP Legal Service will be assisting Mr. Macaya.
“I cannot in conscience let this abuse and oppression pass without justice. I am directing the PNP Legal Service to provide legal assistance to PO3 Macaya in his complaint and possible counter charges by the respondents,” the PNP chief said.
Meanwhile, Western Visayas Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent John C. Bulalacao has also requested the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to remove the mayor’s authority over the local PNP.
Mr. Albayalde also said that he is “endorsing to the Napolcom en banc, the recommendation of” Mr. Bulalacao.
Rep. Garin has issued an apology over the incident. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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