BAGUIO CITY— The first Baguio City-born chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), General Camilo P. Cascolan, turned over assault riffles, a mobile vehicle and other supplies to the Baguio City Police (BCPO) during Monday’s flag-raising activity at the city hall ground here.
Among the items turned over by Cascolan were include 200 Galil Ace 22N assault rifles with magazines, 78,000 rounds of ammunition, 100 pieces of limelight glow in the dark flashlights and a 4x2 mobile patrol service.
Cascolan said the distribution of firearms and other supplies was being made nationwide.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong thanked the PNP for the additional weapons, equipment, and transportation service which will further enhance the capability of the BCPO, specifically the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team.
"Wag ka sanang magsasawang magbigay sa BCPO at sa PROCOR (Police Regional Office Cordillera) hindi dahil taga dito ka (do not get tired providing for the needs of the police in Baguio and the Cordillera, not because you are from here) but because you deem it fit and proper to arm and capacitate our policemen," Magalong said.
Magalong, who was, himself, a former high ranking PNP official before he ran as mayor here. He was deputy for Administration of the PNP.
The city government, led by Magalong, also led the turnover of a check worth P7. 2 million to BCPO for the purchase of handheld radios.
P/Maj. Gen. Angelito Casimiro, chief of the PNP Logistics Command, said the 200 firearms intended for BCPO was an initial batch of 2,000 firearms that will be given to PNP units in the city and police provincial police office of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera.
Casimiro said the amount intended for handheld radios was from the city government funds, and only the PNP will handle the process for bidding and purchase before eventual turnover to the city by next year.
After the activity at city hall, Cascolan and his staff proceeded to the Slaughter Compound for the distribution of food packs.
He also graced the closing ceremony of the SWAT Challenge, presentation of confiscated and surrendered firearms, inauguration of the Maringal Lecture Room, and burning of marijuana at Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.