
Marbil: Checking of expired gun licenses to continue
PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said their ongoing effort to check gun-holders with expired licenses will continue amid their effort to prevent the proliferation of loose firearms that can be used as an ‘instrument of violence’ in the streets.
The top cop said that to address the misconception, they will talk with officials of the Commission on Elections led by Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia to present their side on the matter.
PNP spokesperson, Brigadier Gen. Jean S. Fajardo also maintained that their Oplan: Katok has been going on for many years already and is not intended to harass or intimidate anybody during the election period.
She described it as ‘regular function’ of the police force particularly to see to it that gun-owners with expired Licenses to Own and Possess Firearms and Certificates of Registration will be responsible enough to renew them on time.
“We want to assure the Comelec ay hindi po ito sinimulan dahil sa election po. Even prior to the start of election ay ginagawa na po natin ito,” the official said.
PNP Civil Security Group director, Major Gen. Leo M. Francisco earlier told the Journal Group that their ongoing effort to check if licensed gun-holders are fully complying with the provisions of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 is distinct from the PNP Oplan: Katok to call the attention of firearm owners with already expired licenses.
Maj. Gen. Francisco said their move to check the guns owned by individuals issued LTOFPs is different from PNP’s Oplan: Katok wherein members of the 17 Police Regional Offices knock on the door of Filipinos with expired LTOFPs and Firearm Registration or FRs and remind them to renew their licenses on a given time.
Under the PNP Oplan: Katok, gun owners with expired licenses are 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.
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 during office hours.
The Journal Group earlier reported that instead of questioning the ongoing effort of the PNP-CSG to account for all registered firearms in the country, retired generals, lawmakers and other VIPs must act as ‘role models’ in complying with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10591.