ZCPO gets M-16 rifles from RPO-9
Nine armalite assault rifles were turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Office yesterday as a gesture of gratitude of the Police national headquarters and Regional Office-9 to the city government under Mayor Celso Lobregat.
PRO-9 Chief of Directorial Staff Col. Mario Yanga said the turn over of the essential equipment to the local police is “to reciprocate the kindness of Mayor Celso Lobregat and the local government unit of Zamboanga for the various support in terms of police station buildings, vehicles and other equipment as well as the forthcoming firearms”.
Yanga turned over the assault rifles to each of the members of the SWAT team through City Police OIC Director Col. Amador Corpus and Mayor Celso Lobregat during simple rites at the ZCPO grounds yesterday morning.
Aside from the 9 M-16 rifles, the ZCPO is also expected to receive two Innova patrol cars, also from the RPO-9. The shipment of these vehicles from Manila to the city will be taken cared of by the city government.
“This firearms as well as vehicles issued are meant for use (of the SWAT) in the exercise of the duties and functions as members of the ZPCO”, Yanga said as he also thanked Mayor Lobregat for the forthcoming donation by the city government of 50 armalite rifles to the police.
Regional Police Director Gen. Angel Sunglao has assured that the RPO-9’s support to the local police will continue as long as assistance and support from the national headquarters will pursue, according to Yanga. “Our only hope is that the end users, who are the members of the SWAT team will make full use of the firearms by way of taking good care of them and using them only when necessary”.
Col. Corpus meanwhile, thanked RPO-9 for the additional firepower stressing that it will help improve capability of the local police. “We also thank in advance the local government and Mayor Celso Lobregat for the 50 assault rifles that will be turned over to local police anytime soon, as counterpart to the 9 rifles from the PRO-9”.
Mayor Lobregat, meanwhile said city government support to the police will continue for as long as he is mayor.
Aside from the 50 high powered firearms set to be purchased, the city will also turn over to the police, newly-constructed police stations or community action police centers in the coming days.
Present during the turn over ceremony were Councilor Eddie Rodriguez, chairman of the Council committee on peace and order; PC/Supt. Edwin de Ocampo, chief of the Police Logistics Division, City Hall Chief Executive Assistant Roseller Natividad and other police officials. (Sheila Covarrubias)