20,000 cops have no guns
The Philippine National Police will acquire more guns to address the shortage of government-issued firearms among police officers nationwide.
PNP chief, Dir. Gen. Jesus Versoza estimates that about 20,000 police officers have no guns.
That's just the initial count, he stressed during a press conference at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City last Friday.
Versoza said that the number may increase as soon as the Directorate for Logistics shall have finished conducting a nationwide inventory and accounting of PNP's firearms.
He said that the 120,00-strong PNP has only around 100,000 plus firearms. Versoza also said that PNP issued firearms often deteriorate due to normal wear and tear, and may be lost during encounters.
To address the problem, the police chief said that they are continuously procuring and upgrading firearms.
In the present General Appropriations Act, the PNP has been alloted funds for the purchase of 5,000 long and short firearms. But Versoza admitted that this is not enough to solve the shortage of firearms.
That is why, he explained, we will be prioritizing those who will be issued firearms.
Topmost are police officers assigned in troubled and threatened areas, mostly in Mindanao, will be given priority in the distribution of long firearms, Versoza said.
Special Weapons and Tactics units, for their part, will have priority in the issuance of assault rifles and automatic pistols.
Meanwhile, police officers who have long been in the service, and those who are weapons proficient shall have priority as regards pistols.
In a related development, Versoza also promised that to provide every police station in the country with at least one patrol car by the end of the year.
He made the announcement during Friday's turnover ceremonies of 39 new patrol cars and motorcycles to the different police stations in Western Visayas.
The PNP is also eyeing the purchase of four helicopters, which will be assigned to urban centers. Police Regional Offices in the country will also be receiving six by six trucks to give them 'lift capability.'