Published August 4, 2021, 2:52 PM
The Senate will soon conduct a public hearing on the controversial importation and sale of 1,004 AK-47 rifles to the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed component of the Philippine communist movement, with the end in view of reviewing and strengthening Philippine laws and policies on the issuance and granting of firearm licenses and permits.
This followed the filing last Monday, August 3 of Senate Resolution 811 by Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee. Dela Rosa is a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.
What irked President Duterte during his last and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 26 was the alleged aid of some PNP officials in the sale of the rifles.