Gov’t studies gun amnesty
ANOTHER nationwide gun amnesty proposed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now being studied by concerned government agencies, the Journal Group learned.
According to PNP Civil Security Group director Major General Benjamin H. Silo Jr., the PNP’s proposal to implement a firearms’ amnesty program is now under the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary.
Lawmakers, led by Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa, last year called for the implementation of a gun amnesty program to account for loose firearms across the country and encourage their owners/possessor to either surrender or register their unlicensed guns.
Sen. dela Rosa explained that a gun amnesty will enable the PNP to properly account for majority of the unregistered firearms nationwide as they will be given at least six months to register their illegal guns or renew their licenses once the implementing rules and regulations of the amnesty period is approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Acting on orders of PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., Silo said they will be further intensifying their campaign to account for more loose firearms in the country this year.
The official said that from 769,522 last March 15, 2023, the number of loose firearms in the country went down to 497,094 or a difference of 272,428 or 35.40 percent as of January 12, 2024.
In the past, there have been suggestions to implement a nationwide gun amnesty program amid the spate of high-profile killings in the country.
Officials pushed for the program, saying that in many cases loose and unregistered firearms were found to have been used in ambushes, assassinations, armed robbery-holdups and kidnappings in the country.
Once the Chief Executive approves another gun amnesty, the PNP-CSG thru the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office will allow individuals with unlicensed firearms to have their guns documented and registered.
Silo has called on all licensed firearm holders in the country to renew their gun permits on time, at best six months before their expiration to avoid having trouble with the law.
PNP-CSG records showed that as of January 18, 2023, a total of 317,539 juridical entities have already renewed their Firearms Registration.
They include 4,554 FRs from Local Government Units, 4,007 Company Security Units, 280,587 Private Security Agencies, 103 Gun Clubs, 727 Shooting Ranges, 20,804 Non-Government Agencies, Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, State Universities and Colleges and other Law Enforcement Agencies and 6,757 from the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
As of January 18, 2024, a total of 1,848 juridical entities have also renewed their License to Own and Possess Firearms.
According to Silo, they aim to achieve another significant reduction in the number of loose firearms in the country this year.
To address the problem of loose firearms and to strictly monitor the status of gun license holders nationwide, Silo said they have already strengthened 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.
The official likewise reminded all those in possession of expired firearm licenses, both individual and juridical entities, to renew their licenses to avoid being charged for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 and RA No. 11766 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations to fix the validity period of the LTOFP, firearm registration and Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence (PTCFORs).
He also encouraged all gun-holders with expired licenses to renew their permits at the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office through the nearest Regional Civil Security Units (RCSUs), CSG Stakeholders Assistance Center (SAC) or the CSG One-Stop Shop (OSS).
The official also reiterated that vigilance and compliance is a shared responsibility among the PNP which is implementing all gun rules and regulations as well as their industry stakeholders and the community.
“Accounting of loose firearms and arrest of wanted persons are the centerpiece actions of the anti-criminality campaign that the PNP is waging.
Firearms, as instruments of crime and the players that put into action the criminal motive, are the factors that largely contribute to the commission of a crime.
If we can take away these instruments of crime and the persons behind it, then we have effectively prevented crime,” Gen. Acorda said.
He added that to complement the campaign against loose firearms, the PNP is further improving administrative procedures to encourage and promote effective gun control through licensing and firearms registration.
“The possession of a single firearm by an individual with criminal intent can have dire consequences, and as such, it is crucial to account for all unregistered firearms and those with expired licenses,” he explained.
The PNP chief underscored that the successful accomplishment of the task to account for loose weapons across the country demonstrates the PNP’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law and fulfilling their duty to maintain peace and order.
