By Martin Sadongdong
Radio personality Erwin Tulfo continued to resist the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s recall order on his firearms after his License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) expired three months ago, a police spokesperson revealed Tuesday.
Erwin Tulfo
(YouTube / MANILA BULLETIN)
Police Colonel Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the camp of Tulfo again coordinated with them on Monday after Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, said they will be forced to apply for a search warrant if the tough-talking journalist continues to defy the recall order.
However, Banac said the coordination was for the renewal of the LTOPF and not the surrender of the firearms. Tulfo's LTOPF expired in March, contrary to what was earlier declared by the PNP that it expired in May.
"The camp of Mr. Erwin Tulfo immediately coordinated with the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) for the renewal of the license but we're still awaiting for the surrender of his firearms," Banac said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Banac insisted that even if Tulfo applies for the renewal of his LTOPF, he still has to submit his firearms for temporary safekeeping since those are already considered as loose firearms.
"What worries us if during the renewal process, it might take long or he might travel abroad with an expired license. The possession of firearms is unauthorized so the surrender of firearms is necessary for temporary custody," Banac explained.
The PNP official said Tulfo will be subjected to "Oplan Katok" where police officers will go to his house to remind him of the recall order if he continues to refuse to surrender his firearms.
If after Oplan Katok Tulfo still fails to surrender his firearms, Banac said the PNP will have no option but to apply for a search warrant.
Tulfo may face charges for illegal possession of firearms, a violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, Banac said.
"Binibigyan naman natin ng pagkakataon dahil nakipag-ugnayan naman ang kampo (We are giving them a chance because his camp is coordinating with us)," Banac stated.
Banac reiterated that Tulfo may surrender his firearms to the nearest local police station near his residence or to the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office at Camp Crame.
The PNP-FEO sent a letter to Tulfo about the recall order of his firearms last June 6.