Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately confiscate the three licensed firearms of police officer who had been charged with firing his handgun during a confrontation with another customer in a bar in Quezon City.

Abalos' order came after the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) revoked the licenses for all three firearms of the suspect, PLt.Col. Mark Julio U. Abong.

"In the interest of public safety and due to his numerous brushes with the law, I, therefore, direct the PNP to immediately cause the confiscation of the firearms registered under the name of PLt. Col. Abong to be turned over to the PNP-FEO," abalos said in a statement.

Abong was arrested over the weekend after firing his gun in front of a restobar at Scout Rallos Street in Quezon City.

"Hindi dapat bigyan ng pribilehiyo na magmay-ari o magdala ng baril ang sinumang hindi responsable o mapagkakatiwalaan na humawak nito. Kahit pa siya ay isang alagad ng batas," Abalos said.

The DILG Chief stressed that possession, ownership, and carrying of firearms and ammunition are not vested rights but mere privileges granted by the government. 

This privilege, he said, can be revoked any time especially if a crime or offense is committed with the use of the firearm.

Likewise, Section 2 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10918 prohibits carrying or transporting firearms or deadly weapons outside of residence or place or business and in all public places during the period of the election ban.

Section 63 of the same resolution authorizes the PNP Chief or any of his authorized representatives to revoke, cancel or suspend the firearms license, firearms registration and permit to carry firearms outside of residence. 

Among the grounds for cancellation are commission of crimes involving firearms, carrying of firearms without the proper permits, and carrying the same in prohibited places.

Abong is now facing criminal complaints for violation of Illegal Discharge of Firearm, Republic Act (RA) 10591, violation of Omnibus Election Code, Physical Injury, Slander by Deed, and Disobedience upon an Agent of Person in Authority at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office.

Among Abong's previous cases include kidnapping and serious illegal detention, false testimony in other cases and perjury in solemn affirmation.

He was also charged with violation of the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, and robbery in July 2022. He was also involved in grave threats on January 6, 2019; and reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and physical injury with homicide on August 6, 2022.