PNP eyes tighter gun control measures

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa urged Congress yesterday to enact measures that would make illegal possession of high-powered firearms a non-bailable offense.

Verzosa cited a case in Pampanga wherein alleged members of a notorious bank robbery gang were arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearms.

The gang led by a certain Ampang Colangco went on with their robbery spree after the court allowed them to post bail.

Verzosa said the court allowed the suspects to post bail notwithstanding the large number of high-powered firearms seized from them by lawmen.

“The penalty for loose and unlicensed firearms should be higher. There ought to be levels of penalties for illegal possession of firearms depending on the number and type of firearms involved or when the offenders are known members of criminal syndicates,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa said the proposed measure should be implemented after the PNP’s “last gun amnesty,” which could take place during the third quarter of the year or a few months before the May 2010 general elections.

“If at all there will be another amnesty period for loose firearms, it will definitely be the last amnesty we are giving for holders of illegal guns, and our next move will be for aggressive operations against violators,” he said.

Verzosa said the government has repeatedly offered amnesty for loose firearms over the past 20 years, but the amnesty measures have not been successful in taking away loose firearms from illegal gun holders and criminal elements.

“We are recommending for yet another amnesty, but this time it will be complemented by other measures to ensure its effectiveness in accounting for more loose firearms than in previous amnesty periods,” Verzosa said.

“We are mindful of the possibility that an amnesty may actually induce gun smuggling into the country, and we are taking preemptive actions against this possibility.”

Verzosa said the PNP earlier proposed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stop issuing gun ban exemptions to civilians during the election period, and only allow members of law enforcement agencies, the police and the military to carry firearms during the election period.

The PNP is crafting a new gun control strategy that would effectively address the proliferation of loose firearms in the country, including stiffer penalties for illegal possession of firearms.

“The intention is to take away all instruments of violence from the landscape of Philippine politics and ensure totally peaceful elections in the country,” Verzosa said.

The centerpiece of the strategy is to encourage holders of loose firearms to register these guns and avoid prosecution for illegal possession of firearms.

The PNP has organized a three-day seminar and workshop at Clark Field in Pampanga that will discuss issues and concerns on firearms.