Senate president Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero yesterday hailed the resiliency of the local firearms manufacturers and dealers while stressing their endeavors need the full support and protection by the government as well as other sectors concerned.
Escudero, a gun enthusiast and advocate of responsible gun ownership, also added that the Senate is inclined to push for amendments in manufacturing, importation, licensing, and possession of firearms to make the industry more productive. He then called on the public to change their mindset about guns, saying it is still okay to acquire firearms for sporting purposes and personal protection.
“Sa ngayon ay napakahigpit ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagbibigay ng lisensya sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi po dapat ganito, nagiging dahilan lang ito para hindi na sila magpa lisenya pa. Kung gagamitin po sa kasamaan ang baril, hindi na po iyang ipapa lisensiya, bibili na lang yan sa black market tapos itatapon pag nagamit,” said Escudero during the opening ceremony of the 30th Defense and Sporting Arms Show hosted by the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers, Inc. (AFAD).
“Sa pagbibigay ng tamang lisensiya, hindi po ba mas mababantayan natin kung sino talaga ang mga nagma-may-ari ng baril, sino ang meron lisensiya at sino ang wala. Mas epekto ang ating datos. Kaya’t marapat lamang na gawin nating madali ang proseso para sa mga kababayan nating responsable sa pag-aari ng mga baril,. Kaya huwag nating pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan” said Escudero.
Escudero said the Senate had already passed a law – Self Reliance Defense Act – and already presented it to President Marcos for signing. The said law will give way to building the country’s own firearms and armament manufacturing plant.
“Biibigyan natin ng insentibo ang ating mga local firearms manufacturer, at puwedeng mag-may-ari ang mga foreign investors up to 40 percent,” he added.
Newly elected AFAD president Edwin Lim said AFAD withstood the test of time and for the past three decades thrived as a reliable income-generating industry in the country with its thrust for safety and responsible gun ownership.
Lim of Magnus Sports Shops was elected to lead AFAD’s new set of officers which included Reynaldo C. Espineli of R. Espineli Trading (Vice President), Maria Cristina Tuason-Gonzalez of Squires Bingham International, Inc. (Secretary), Edwin D. Año, Jr. of Topspot Guns and Ammunition Trading (Treasurer), and Alaric Alexander J. Topacio of Tools Trading Corporation (Comptroller). Other officers include Patrick James H. Dionisio of P.B. Dionisio & Co., Inc., Dino C. Reyes of Lynx Firearms and Ammunition, Mary Grace T. Parilla of True Weight, and Ivy Illine C. Sapasap of Imperial Guns, Ammo & Accessories
“We’re happy with the support of the Senate and other government law enforcing agencies. Whatever they mandate to us, we will follow,’ said AFAD president Edwin Lim.
The five-day show highlights innovations and safety features of world-class locally made and imported sporting firearms and shooting products from more than 40 members and exhibitors until Sunday (August 25).
