More gun owners register their firearms

CEBU, Philippines - At least 27,890 loose firearms are already accounted for in Central Visayas, officials of the Police Regional Office 7 revealed recently.

Regional Intelligence Division chief Melvin Buenafe said that the estimated number of un-renewed firearms have decreased from 22,618 in May to 21,249 in the month of July.

Buenafe also said that about 310 loose firearms are in possession of criminal elements and 265 in possession of wanted person and fugitives, while 162 loose firearms are owned by the threat group.

In this regard, PRO-7 is giving holders of loose firearms the chance to legalize their ownership of unregistered guns.

“This with P650 as payment on renewing an expired license good for one year,” said by P/Supt. Jacinto A. Cesar, Chief Regional Firearms and Explosive Unit.

Cesar also encourage holders of loose firearms and gun owners with expired licenses to avail of the amnesty program, in which the PNP has simplified the processing and procedures for all applicants.

This in line with the directive issued by PNP Director General Jesus A. Verzosa regarding the implementation of the National Firearms Control Program pursuant to Executive Order No. 817 of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

All holders of firearms with expired licenses will be given the chance to renew their expired licenses, waived of penalties and surcharges from August 1 to October 31, 2009.

The government hopes to reduce by at least three percent every month the estimated 1.1 million loose firearms currently in the hands of threat groups, criminal elements and unauthorized individuals. 

This also with their intensified campaign and aggressive interdiction operations to confiscate loose firearms in the habitats of threat groups, criminal elements, civilian gun holders, and delinquent licensed firearms owners.

The National Firearms Control Program seeks to account for all firearms in the possession of the general population including those covered by expired license; for all captured, confiscated, surrendered, deposited, abandoned and forfeited firearms in the custody of the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies; for all firearms under custodia legis or firearms submitted as evidence in the court; and for loose firearms in the possession of threat groups and criminal elements.

Police operations against unregistered firearms will continue with random weapons check operations in crime-prone areas; mobile checkpoint and chokepoint operations; Intelligence build-up; internal security operations; application of Search Warrants; and dismantling of private armed groups, Versoza said. — Johanna T. Natavio/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)