PNP-CSG to step up drive to account for more loose guns
ACTING on orders of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) will intensify its campaign to account for more loose firearms this year.
PNP-CSG director Major Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said that from 769,522, the number of loose firearms in the country or those with expired permits went down to 497,094 or a difference of 272,428 or 35.40 percent as of January 12, 2024.
He said that the more than 35-percent reduction in the number of firearms with expired License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOFPs) and Firearm Registration (FR) was achieved as a result of the Revitalized Oplan: Katok, public information and dissemination through Audi-Visual Presentations played in malls and continuous LTOFP and Firearm Registration (FR) caravans nationwide.
Add to it the establishment of Stakeholders Assistance Centers and their weekend transaction at the CSG One-Stop Shop at Camp Crame has been given a big boost after its director’s recommendation to give big performance evaluation reports to police units who will perform well in the PNP’S Revitalized Oplan: Katok was approved, the Journal Group learned.
The PNP-CSG director has also recommended that ‘big points’ be given to PNP units who will score significant accomplishments in their effort to account for unregistered guns.
The official suggested that PNP units shall be graded on how many notices to delinquent firearm holders have they sent to concerned gun owners and how many renewed their LTOPFs and FRs as a result of those reminders.
The PNP-CSG has been providing all National Operational Support Units led by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and all 17 Police Regional Offices with the updated list of delinquent firearm holders every 15th and 30th of the month for proper action, Silo said.
The PNP-CSG director has been instructed by Acorda to help in the national police force’s effort to account for loose firearms in the country.
“Ang tasking ni PNP chief sa atin is bawasan ang loose firearms and have tapped our different stakeholders for that campaign,” he said.
For one, the official said they have harnessed the help of the Cinema Association of the Philippines in promoting their drive through the free showing in cinemas of audio-visual presentation on their programs and policies to address the proliferation of loose firearms nationwide.
The PNP-CSG, which is tasked to exercise administrative and operational control in the regulation of the firearms, explosive and security agency industries, is playing a major role in achieving the peace and order, safety and security agenda of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.
“Hence, efficient and effective implementation of our regulatory powers must be upheld,” said the official.
The PNP-CSG supervises the operations of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) and the PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA).
The official has also committed to adhere to and help strengthen the policies and program thrusts of the PNP under Acorda and President Marcos.
“I will continue to protect the integrity of the organization. We will strictly continue the last practices here in CSG. We need to introduce innovations that will improve the CSG’s services to the public,” he added.
The official declared that as a frontline service, they need to ensure compliance with the easing out of business transactions and observe principles above private gains.
“Strict observance of transparency, accountability and public trust,” he said, “will be a norm by the PNP-CSG” and its subordinate units under his leadership.
Silo also called on his men to help the current administration combat all forms of criminalities and in its campaign against illegal drugs starting with a strict implementation of firearms laws under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 and RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives.
