THE Philippine National Police’s (PNP) ongoing effort to check if licensed gun-holders in the country are fully complying with the provisions of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 will be separate from the ongoing PNP Oplan: Katok to call the attention of firearm owners with already expired licenses.

According to PNP spokesperson, Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo, the latest move by the PNP Civil Security Group is distinct from their Oplan: Katok wherein police knock on the door of Filipinos with expired License to Own and Possess Firearms or LTOFPs and Firearm Registration or FRs and remind them to renew their licenses on a given time.

Under the PNP Oplan: Katok, gunn owners with expired licenses are also encouraged to deposit their firearms to the nearest police station for safekeeping pending the renewal of their permits.

The move allows firearm holders to avoid court proceedings by voluntarily turning over for safekeeping their guns whose licenses may have already expired or without the proper license.

Those who do not heed the advice of the PNP through “Oplan Katok” court the possibility that they may be subjected to search warrants for violation of RA 10591.

On the other hand, the PNP-CSG’s effort to check the guns initially of Type 5 Licensees seeks to ensure that the firearms of the individuals are still intact and are not missing, stolen or have been transferred to other persons illegally.

The inspection shall be limited to visual, announced seven days prior, and conducted between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the presence of the licensed citizen or his authorized representative and must be limited to the compliance on vault requirement.

Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that the PNP-CSG headed by Major Gen. Leo M. Francisco is hoping 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.

She said that initially, around 2,000 Type 5 licensees will be notified thru letter or e-mail by the PNP-CSG that they will be visited by uniformed RCSU personnel in their residences.

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.

She said that the RCSU officers will not enter the house of the Type 5 licensees but instead encourage them to have a ‘showdown inspection’ to see if the guns are all there.

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

Fajardo 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 LTOFPs eh baka nabenta na mga baril nila,” said Brig. Gen. Fajardo.

The PNP-CSG’s move is expected to be questioned by some persons or groups but the official said they are calling for the cooperation of all concerned in furtherance of their objective to promote responsible gun ownership.

“There are administrative sanctions if one fails to report the loss of his licensed firearm.

First it will be considered a loose firearm already. Second, we have to really check where these guns are, especially if one individual owns 15 or 20 more guns,” Brig. Gen. Fajardo said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon