Cuevas extends invite to tipsters as PNP readies cash reward
Too much unlicensed and “loose” firearms throughout the country have now caused the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy to take drastic measures.
Drastic enough as the PNP put up a cash reward to civilian informants with ready solid tip on bearers of said unlicensed guns out there.
As such, the region’s top cop joined the call for community support in a news release confirming the easy money from the PNP.
“Cash rewards are at stake for tipsters who will help crack down on an estimated 1.1 million loose firearms in the country,” the news release sent to The News Today (TNT) went. “This, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, Police Director General Jesus Ame Versoza bared a P5 million budget approved by President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo to reward any person who could lead for the recovery of loose firearms.”
The “reward scale,” the news release continued ” varies depending on the type and quantity of firearms involved.”
“At stake is P50,000 to P200,000 for whoever gives an information that will lead to the recovery of loose firearms,” Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) director, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani R. Cuevas said citing the announcement from PNP National Headquarters. Cuevas also explained that the reward system is part of the efforts of the PNP to implement a total gun ban on 2010 presidential and local election,” the PRO 6 news added. ““We want to prevent any election-related violent incidents in 2010. And the accounting of these loose firearms could greatly help us achieve that goal.”
Records showed that Western Visayas alone have about 30,000 loose firearms.
In fact, the region’s chief of the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (FESAGSS) came out with an earlier message - violate the government-mandated prerequisite and you face charges. Fail to heed the law and you may have just secured yourself a spot behind bars.
“Under the reward system, a P50,000 will be given to the informant. A P200,000 reward money will be given to those who will provide information that will lead to the recovery of 21 or more loose firearms; P80,000 for 6 to 10 high-powered firearms; P100,000 for 11 to 15 high-powered weapons; and P150,000 for 16 to 20 high-powered ones. For low powered guns, the tipster will get P20,000 for three to five firearms; P40,000 for 6 to 10 low-powered firearms; P60,000 for 11 to 15 firearms; P80,000 for 16 to 20 firearms; and P100,000 for 21 or more low-powered firearms. Cuevas also said a reward scale has also been created that categorizes the cases as national, regional and provincial in nature,” the news release ended. (With reports from POIII Francisco B Lindero Jr)