Cebu trader gives assault weapons to regional police

A Cebuano businessman yesterday donated five new rifles to the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), hoping to help operatives in the fight against illegal drugs.

“We owe it to our regional director (Chief Supt. Noli Taliño). I knew the Special Action Force (SAF) since 1997. I know these people. We need people like them,” said Alan Francis Sy, owner of Ferfrans Specialties and Trading.

Taliño, former SAF chief, was appointed PRO-7 director last July.

Sy donated four assault rifles and a sniper rifle — all amounting to about P1.5 million.

Taliño was grateful for the additional firearms.

He said the new rifles will be distributed to the Special Weapons and Tactics teams which will undergo trainings to be conducted by the SAF.

“The arrival of these firearms is very timely. This will help update the equipment of our SWAT teams,” Taliño said.

When he assumed his post, he said he noticed that some equipment of the SWAT were substandard.

Taliño said he’s hoping other “peace-loving Cebuanos” would also send donations to improve the different police units.

“So far, at least two of our policemen got shot and wounded in operations. Drug personalities are ready to kill us. I hope the new firearms will help,” he said.

Taliño also encouraged the police to improve their shooting skills.

“Otherwise, guns are useless, and we may be forced to issue them bolos and sticks,” he said.

PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said policemen will soon be given gun proficiency tests.

“We need to train our policemen,” Dela Rosa said.