Gun license renewal pushed as requirement for clearances

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office –7 is pushing to bar gun owners with expired license from acquiring police clearance, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and driver’s license.

The proposal is part of the police effort to comply with the National Firearms Control Program of the Philippine National Police. The program aims to account all loose firearms in the country.

Supt. Rex Derilo, chief of the Regional Firearms and Explosive Division (FED), said gun owners whose license has already expired should renew it to prevent inconvenience and other sanctions.

Derilo said they are currently coordinating with the NBI-7 and the Land Transportation Office -7 for the implementationof its plan.

Derilo said they are strictly complying with the PNP – NFCP especially that their figures show a steady increase of un-renewed licenses. This was despite their intensified operations in the past months in enticing gun owners to renew their gun license.

FED records show that as of March 2012 there were already 27,819 expired firearms licenses. It has increased by over 6,000 from the preceding month which recorded only 20,898 guns.

Based on the FED records there are already 67, 990 registered firearms in the region.

Derilo said the figures of expired firearms might increase further in the coming months if more gun owners fail to renew their guns on time. He said they need to implore strict measures to compel gun owners to follow the law.

“We are still coordinating with the NBI and LTO for the plan. We hope to realize it soon,” Derilo said.

NBI-7 Director Edward Villarta told The FREEMAN that they are open to such plans.

 Villarta said they will continue to issue NBI clearance to their clients until proper arrangements are made between the bureau and the PNP.

For his part, LTO-7 Director Raul Aguilos said that the implementation of the proposal is beyond his power.

He said the intention of the proposal was good and should be decided properly by their superior for proper approval and implementation. — (FREEMAN)