PHILIPPINE National Police Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG) director, Major General Leo M. Francisco ordered his men to inspect the guns of all holders of License to Own and Possess Firearms and Firearm Registration starting this week, beginning with Type 5 License which allows them to own and possess more than 15 firearms, the PNP spokesperson said on Tuesday.

According to Brigadier Gen. Jean S. Fajardo, the move aimed at ensuring that all individuals given the Type 5 License are still in possession of their licensed guns.

Type 5 Licensees are mostly wealthy people who can afford to buy, keep and renew the permits of more than 15 guns of his liking. They include some politicians, government officials, PNP and Armed Forces and other law enforcement officers, big businessmen, gun enthusiasts and other VIPs in the country.

The PNP-CSG has released an advisory regarding the inspection and verification of the LTOFP and FR initially holders of Type 5 license pursuant to the authority of the PNP chief in consonance to the provisions of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013, said Brig. Gen. Fajardo.

She explained that uniformed officers from Regional Civil Security Units of the PNP-CSG will be going to the registered addresses of the Type 5 licensees which, as of the latest count is around 2,000 individuals, the majority of them from Metro Manila.

The move will also determine if the Type 5 licensees have transferred to other residences but failed to notify the PNP-CSG. Failure of gun-holders to notify their change of address carries corresponding administrative actions and such will reflect on their next registration.

However, the official explained that it would be separate from the ongoing PNP Oplan: Katok wherein police knock on the door of Filipinos with expired LTOFPs and FRs and call on them to renew their licenses on a given time.

Those with expired gun permits are also requested to temporarily turn over their guns to the nearest police station for safekeeping until they have renewed their papers.

Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that the PNP-CSG expects to finish the job before the May 12, 2025 mid-term elections as part of the PNP security plans and preparations for next year’s polls wherein the presence of loose firearms could be considered a major risk factor.

After that, the PNP-CSG will move to holders of Type 4 and 3 licensees.

She also said that it will be the 1st time that PNP-CSG officers will be having a ‘showdown inspection’ with holders of valid LTOFPs and FRs in order to find out if they still have actual possession of the guns listed in their records.

This will also enable the PNP-CSG to determine if any of those guns have been stolen or transferred to other persons by their original owners.

“This is aimed to really intensify gun control and management. Baka kasi nagpo-focus lang dati sa mga expired na gun licenses pero yung mga holders ng valid LTOPFs eh baka nabenta na mga baril nila,” said Brig. Gen. Fajardo.

Under the law, Type 5 License allows an individual to own and possess more than 15 firearms while a Type 4 License allows him/her to own a maximum of 15 firearms. A Type 3 License allows an individual to own a maximum of 10 firearms while a Type 2 License gives a person the authority to own and possess a maximum of five firearms.

A type 1 License allows an individual to own a maximum of two firearms.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon