After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Association of Firearms and Ammunitions Dealers of the Philippines Inc. Defense and Sporting Arms Show is back with a much bigger and better activity and program on July 14 to 18 at the Megatrade Hall of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
00In its 28th edition, AFAD picks up from where it left off as 48 members and exhibitors have confirmed their participation to showcase world-class, locally-made and imported firearms, ammunitions and paraphernalia in the five-day event considered the biggest and longest arms show in the country.
Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa and Philippine National Police Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. confirmed their participation as special guests and speakers on opening day at 10 a.m.
“Filipinos are always geared towards being a responsible gun owner. We wanted to showcase the best products available in the market, while at the same time, inform our customers of the restrictions on having a firearm,” said 2022 Hanoi, Vietnam Southeast Asian Games clay shooting silver medalist Hagen Alexander Topacio.
Topacio, a University of the Philippines alumnus in Public Administration, was elected as the new president of AFAD, replacing his younger brother Alaric, who successfully organized the last two legs of the Arms Show in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country and the the world.
“After almost three years of absence in observance of health and safety protocols due to the pandemic, we’re now back with better and much bigger activities and programs involving our members and affiliated organizations,” said Topacio.
He added they lined up seminars and educational programs on self-defense, responsible gun ownership, firearms safety handling, regulation policy on gun ownership, and other exciting activities during the five-day event.
AFAD Board Member Edwin Ańo reiterated that AFAD is working hard to put up an entertaining yet educational sporting arms show for the public, visitors and gun enthusiasts.
“For the past few years, our country experienced fewer crimes. I believe our regulators, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were doing a very good job in keeping the peace and the streets safe for the people. Looking forward to working hand in hand with the new administration to help us gun owners and the industry as a whole,” said Topacio.
