Police Major Joericson Sangalang of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms and Explosives Office said 22 firearms were registered under the name of Vice President Sara Duterte during the 30th day of her impeachment trial on Monday, September 28.
Testifying before the Senate impeachment court, Sangalang identified the firearms as 14 pistols, two revolvers, five rifles, and one shotgun. Three of the rifles were classified as Class A light weapons.
House prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Zamora asked Sangalang to clarify the classification of the firearms.
Sangalang explained that Class A light weapons were firearms with calibers of up to 7.62 and with automatic or fully automatic functions.
“Yung firearms po na yun ay capable of burst of fire. Ibig sabihin po nito, pag kinalabit po natin yung gatilyo, sunod-sunod na po yung puputok,” Sangalang said.
Zamora then asked who could legally own firearms with fully automatic functions.
Sangalang cited Section 10 of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and said only law enforcement agencies could acquire Class A light weapons, particularly the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
He explained, however, that individuals who had acquired such firearms before the law took effect could retain and continue registering them. These firearms could no longer be transferred to another license holder, while owners could surrender them to the PNP if they no longer wished to keep them.
Zamora then asked Sangalang to confirm whether three of the rifles registered under Duterte’s name were fully automatic.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sangalang answered.
The testimony formed part of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerned allegations of “Unexplained Wealth, False SALNs, and Continued Business Interests.”
