Plan to buy guns expected to meet flak

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The request of the Iloilo City Police Office to the City Government for the purchase of assault rifles is expected to meet strong opposition from members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

City police director, Senior Superintendent Norlito Bautista has asked City Hall to finance the purchase of 10 modified versions of M16 armalite rifles. The rifle, which costs P30,000 each, is a combination of the M16 and a submachine gun. It is modified for close quarter battle

Although City Hall is still looking for sources of the budget for the planned purchase, a councilor, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the request, saying that the City should not resort to buying assembled firearms.

They should think of the safety and firepower of the firearm, the councilo advised City Hall.

Mayor Jerry Treñas has said that there is a need to purchase guns, which will be issued to new members of the city police force, as not all of them have government-issued firearms. The members of the rapid deployment Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team are in the priority list.