TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Marksmen and firing enthusiasts from different provinces and clubs gathered for the first Governor James S. Edubba invitational shootfest, in cooperation with the Highland Shooter’s Club Inc., to “strengthen peace and order”. This event is part of the 29th Kalinga Founding Anniversary and the 5th Bodong Festival.
Provincial Legal Officer John Paul Baguiwan, representing Governor Edduba, led the opening of the two-day shooting competition at the 503rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, in Barangay Calanan.
“Primarily, one of Governor Edduba’s advocates is for peace and order. So we know for a fact that every house in the province has a gun. Now, according to the governor, this activity is held for purposes of awareness and, at the same time, as an education to proper gun handling and safety,” Baguiwan said.
Lt. Colonel Richard De La Cruz, representing 503rd Infantry Brigade BGEN Romualdo Raymund Landingin, hoped the shootfest will serve to promote camaraderie and responsible gun ownership and as a forum for peace, unity, and friendship.
Baguiwan also announced a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) registration activity to be held this February. No exact date or place was given. He encouraged gun owners from the communities of Kalinga to register their firearms.
Boss, Montanosa, Itawis, Balenko, Mabalasik, WMP, BCPO, Baguio, and Kalinga are among the clubs that attended the shootfest on the first day.
Also present were KPPO Acting Provincial Director PCol Freddie Lazona, City Director of Baguio Police Col. Bulwayan Jr., Quirino Police Director Colonel Agosto Bayubay, Atty. Francis Calsiyao and Judge Jefferson Angog. By Rod Asurin