MORE than half a million Filipinos with delinquent firearm licenses can now renew their License to Own and Possess Firearms and Firearm Registration papers even on Saturdays and Sundays at the One-Stop Shop (OSS) of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame.

This after PNP chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. approved the recommendation of PNP Civil Security Group director, Brigadier Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. to open their OSS near Gate 1 of the PNP National Headquarters from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday effective immediately.

The top cop said he fully supports the PNP-CSG and the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office’s move which will also greatly help in their efforts to account for more loose firearms in the country in time for the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

“By extending office hours, we can better accommodate the needs of the public and ensure that firearms applications are handled efficiently and with the utmost professionalism in compliance with the requirement of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services Act,” the top cop said.

With this, the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office headed by Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth T. Lucas will open their Stakeholders Assistance Centers to serve those who have work and cannot avail of their help during weekdays.

The move is expected to attract more delinquent gun-holders including members of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to renew their LTOFP and Firearm Registration during weekends where they can find more available parking spaces since most PNP Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Personnel assigned at Camp Crame are observing their day-offs.

“With this scheme, we believe we can better serve by giving our stakeholders the time to apply for new or renew their LTOFPs and Firearms Registration on weekends without the need to be absent in their respective works,” said Brig. Gen. Silo.

Effective immediately, a crew from the PNP-FEO, the PNP Forensic Group and the PNP Health Service will be working to help those who will be renewing their gun licenses.

Initially, there will be 200 slots available for those renewing their papers, said Lucas.To ensure a smooth and streamlined process for all applicants, he explained that the cut-off time for the Neuro-Psychiatric and Drug Testing will be at 2 p.m.

The PNP-CSG and the PNP-FEO have assured the public of their unwavering efforts to provide fast, efficient and exceptional service to the community in line with the national government’s commitment to streamline bureaucratic processes.

Silo made the recommendation to Acorda noting the need to offer their service to those who can’t go to their OSS on weekdays. “We’re talking here of accessibility and convenience to everybody,” he said.

Lucas said they remain resolute in prioritizing the needs of their stakeholders and the decision to extend their office hours on weekends serves as a testament to that commitment.

“The organization is dedicated to going above and beyond in providing excellent service, ensuring that stakeholders’ requirements are met promptly and efficiently,” he said.

PNP Public Information Office chief, Brig. Gen. Redrico A. Maranan agreed with the PNP-CSG and FEO leaderships.

“We understand the importance of accessible services for our stakeholders and the PNP is committed to making the application process for LTOPF and firearm registrations as convenient as possible. By extending the office hours on weekends, we aim to provide a hassle-free experience for all applicants. I enjoin every police officer to disseminate to the public this good news,” he said.

The PNP-CSG move was particularly aimed at giving gun holders with delinquent licenses the big opportunity to renew their papers on weekends inside Camp Crame without thinking of where to park since there would be more available parking slots for them on Saturdays and Sundays.

Most often, Camp Crame visitors and clients of different PNP regulating offices like the PNP-FEO and the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies complain about the lack of available parking space inside the camp on weekdays.

Earlier, Acorda ordered an intensified crackdown against loose firearms in the country and wanted persons amid their round-the-clock effort to keep the streets safe.

“In line with the 2023 National Crime Prevention Program approved by President Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. on May 2, 2023 thru Memorandum Circular No. 19, the PNP is focusing more on the preventive aspects of crime control,” the top cop said.

First and foremost in their crime control efforts is the massive effort to take away illegal guns which are the common instruments of crime and violence in the country.

Second is the accounting of criminal elements who set into motion the criminal motive and last is the hardening of soft targets and establishment of strong police presence to further deny opportunities for crime to be committed, Acorda said.

“These preventive actions against crime are more prominent in police operations against loose firearms and arrest of wanted persons,” he said.

According to the PNP chief, their stepped-up effort to account for all loose firearms in the country since last January have already resulted in the confiscation of over 12,000 illegal guns from more than 3,800 persons who are now all facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

During the same period, the PNP also received 7,032 firearms for safekeeping, he said.

Records from the PNP Directorate for Operations Law Enforcement Division showed that as of May 9 this year, there are a total of 475,125 private gun-holders who have not yet renewed their individual firearm licenses while 63,553 juridical entities are also yet to renew their gun papers.

PNP Director for Operations, Brig. Gen. Leo M. Francisco said there are also ongoing efforts to account for at least 11,602 other loose firearms.

Silo also renewed his call on all PNP commanders and other law enforcement agencies in the country to ensure that their personnel renew their gun licenses and other permits too.

According to Silo, they have called the attention of the heads of other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs0 nationwide to ask their men to renew their expired License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOFPs) and Firearms Registration.

PNP-CSG records showed that as of last May 5, there are a total of 539,662 firearms with expired registration papers. They consist of 476,164 licensed citizens and 63,498 juridical entities.

There are also a total of 816,136 expired LTOPFs to date with 815,638 of them issued to licensed showed expired registration papers. They consist of 476,164 licensed citizens and 63,498 juridical entities.

There are also a total of 816,136 expired LTOPFs to date with 815,638 of them issued to licensed citizens and the rest juridical entities.

“Right now, we’re having our campaign against loose firearms believe it will make a significant impact in the country’s peace and order situation particularly during the October polls,” Silo said.

Francisco said their records showed that there are about 9,700 policemen and some 9,200 AFP personnel who have not renewed their gun licenses to date.

“Having that big number of soldiers and policemen with unrenewed firearm licenses, we have to start telling our personnel to renew their licenses para maging modelo kami ng mga civilians,” the official emphasized.

To address the problem on loose firearms and to strictly monitor the status of gun license holders nationwide,

Silo said they are strengthening the PNP’s Revitalized Oplan: Katok and have come up with a number of measures to address the proliferation of both unregistered and loose firearms.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon