FIVE personnel of the PNP Health Service were found to be allegedly involved in the issuance of fraudulent neuro-psychiatric test results, leading to the issuance of License To Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) to unqualified gun holders.
PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) Director Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr. said the PNP is preparing criminal and administrative against the five — a commissioned officer holding the rank of major, three non-commissioned officers, and a civilian employee.
“We already identified the persons responsible for these irregularities and right now we are filing administrative and criminal charges against them before the Office of the Ombudsman,” said Silo.
Silo did not identify the five, adding they have been recommended by the CSG to be relieved from their posts and put on a “floating status.”
Citing the results of a CSG probe, the five allegedly issued neuro-psychiatric clearance, a requirement in the application for LTOPF, to some 377 individuals who failed the test. These individuals reportedly paid P30,000 to P35,000 to get a passing mark.
“Once you fail the neuro examination, you are given six months to retake (the test). Instead of looking for the retake, they moved it backward, they did some maneuvering,” said Silo.
Silo said the LTOPF of the 377 individuals have been revoked and the PNP is looking at permanently disqualifying them from owning a firearm.
“Right now, we included them in the investigation but as part of our response, actions, we revoked their licenses and firearms registration,” said Silo.
Silo said the PNP is also studying charges against the 377, who he described as “moneyed persons.”
“Definitely because these people are not qualified in the first place to own firearms,” said Silo.
“If gun holders are psychotic, imagine the danger they can give to the public. Imagine if the one holding firearms is (a drug) addict, you know how big the possible effect of this to society,” said Silo.
Silo said the investigation was prompted by a recent operation in Rizal but did not give details.
“So we conducted our investigation, we backtracked and we found out this scheme,” said Silo, adding that the CSG is digging deeper into the case.
