ALAMINOS CITY–The debate on the distribution of shotguns to the province’s more than 1,300 barangay chairmen is likely catch national attention soon,

Dante Jimenez, chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), vowed Thursday during a quick visit here he would ask higher government officials to investigate the shotgun distribution.

Jimenez talked to relatives of victims of violence, among them Clara Bautista, 76, mother of Gabriel Viray Bautista, 39, a male nurse of the Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos who was shot and killed by three barangay officials of Bani in September 2007 using the Caliber 45 pistols supposedly issued in 2006 by First District Rep. Arthur Celeste.

Meanwhile, Celeste, in a news conference in Dagupan on Friday, denied having issued the gun, saying he will resign from his post if anyone has documents to show that the caliber .45 used in the killing was officially issued by his office.

Jimenez said he is dismayed by an arrangement’ where lower officials may be issued firearms by the higher officials despite strict rules that had been set by the Philippine National Police on the possession, ownership, and permit to carry firearms outside of residence.

This kind of arrangement, he said, must be investigated by the authorities, pointing out that he will take this up with newly-appointed PNP Chief Police Director General Jesus Verzosa when he meets him next week to find out if this was authorized by him.

“I am owner of a firearm myself,” Jimenez said, adding that he bought the weapon after his brother was killed by drug lords. But he stressed that he had to secure the proper license as provided under the law.

He said that in the case of a firearm license issued to a civilian, the holder is only allowed to keep the gun at home and bringing it outside the residence requires a permit to carry, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1086.

Jimenez stressed that it is only the Chief PNP who can sign permits to carry firearms, an authority which even the President of the Philippines does not have.

In Mrs. Bautista’s case, Jimenez said that VACC will investigate if the gun that was used in killing her son Gabriel was licensed or not.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting, he added, would be a separate matter.

Saying that he was already briefed and updated on the shotgun issue, Jimenez said, “We really have to investigate this. Kung kinakailangang iparating ito sa pinakamataas, ipararating po naming.”—LM

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