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PNP goes after holders of over 539K loose firearms

June 4, 2023 Alfred P. Dalizon 574 views

PNPIn time for 2023 BSKE polls

AS part of their all-out efforts to ensure honest, peaceful and credible October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, police units across the country have intensified their drive to account for over 539,000 unlicensed firearms that can be used to disrupt the forthcoming polls, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. told the Journal Group on Sunday.

The top cop said that from January 1 to date, police have confiscated nearly 12,000 loose firearms from more than 3,600 arrested suspects. Over 1,800 cases for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 were also filed against the suspects in different courts nationwide.

During the same period, he said that PNP units in different parts of the country received over 6,500 firearms for safekeeping.

Gen. Acorda said they are also monitoring continuously the activities of 48 Private Armed Groups (PAGs), three of them tagged as ‘active’ and the 45 others ‘potential’ PAGs from Regions 1, 5, 6,13, Cordillera Administrative Region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

“I would like to reiterate my directive to all regional directors to intensify the campaign against these groups and ensure that they will not be utilized in this upcoming Barangay and SK elections,” the top cop 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, Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco said there are also ongoing efforts to account for at least 11,602 other loose firearms.

Another top PNP official, PNP Civil Security Group director, Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. also renewed his call to all PNP commanders and other law enforcement agencies in the country to ensure that their personnel renew their gun licenses and other permits too.

Brig. Gen. Silo said they have called the attention of the heads of other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) 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,” Brig. Gen. Silo said.

“We have recommended to the Chief,PNP that all PNP personnel must renew their gun licenses. We are also asking other LEAs to comply with the requirement of the law. If we will comply with the law, I see no reason for the public not to comply too. If you own a gun license, be a responsible firearm holder,” he added.

Brig. Gen. Francisco said their records showed 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, Brig. Gen. 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.

The PNP-CSG has also listed nearly 12,000 active policemen or those who have already retired, Dropped from Rolls, dismissed from the service or those who have applied for Permanent Total Physical Disability with expired gun permits.

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