The Philippine National Police yesterday disclosed that it has ordered radio and TV personality Erwin Tulfo to surrender all his firearms after his License to Own and Possess Firearms has expired.
Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Civil Security Group sent a formal letter to Tulfo last June 6 informing him of their decision.
“The PNP has ordered for the recall or temporary safekeeping of the firearms of Mr. Erwin Tulfo in as much as the License to Own and Possess Firearms of Mr. Tulfo has already expired,” he said.
Banac clarified that only Tulfo’s LTOPF has expired. He said the radio personality’s gun license remains valid.
“If the LTOPF is expired, there is no more authority or reason for an individual to own or keep firearms even if the gun licenses are still valid. They need to be surrendered for temporary safekeeping,” he explained.
Banac did not specify what type or how many guns Tulfo need to surrender but he said the radio personality could take back his guns once he renews his LTOPF.
He said Tulfo could submit his application for the renewal of his LTOPF after the election gun ban and election period ends on Independence Day, June 12. “If he would apply for a renewal, he would have to go through the normal process like the neuro-psychiatric test, drug test, etc.,” Banac said.
Tulfo can either surrender his firearms to the nearest police station in his area of residence or directly at the PNP-FEO in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Banac said.
Should Tulfo fail to surrender his guns, the PNP spokesperson said they will be forced to conduct a search warrant on his house.
The order was issued days after the PNP recalled Tulfo and his siblings’ police security detail following his public humiliation of Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista who declined a live radio interview with the broadcaster. (Martin Sadongdong)
