PNP releases gun amnesty guidelines anew

MANILA, Philippines - With only a week before the start of the gun amnesty, the Philippine National Police (PNP) released anew guidelines for citizens registering their loose guns. The PNP is set to implement the “final” gun amnesty program from Oct. 1 to 31 as approved by President Arroyo under Executive Order 817 to minimize election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) in the May 2010 polls.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said PNP units have started since Aug. 1 processing applications for registration of loose firearms and renewal of expired licenses.

Verzosa said early registration would give the PNP ample time to process applications, ahead of the effectivity of the one-month general amnesty period for loose firearms.

The PNP said those holding loose guns must first verify with the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) if their guns have records with previous holders or agencies.

After verification, gunholders must proceed to territorial police – local Police Provincial Office or secure a Permit to Transport (PTT) Firearms from the municipal or city police station – to get permit to transport the firearms from the house to the police station for ballistics authentication.

Once records are verified, gunholders can fill up the application form for gun license to be processed by the PNP-FED.

The PNP said gun holders would have to wait for the release of gun license ID cards in October.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said license renewal fee is P650 for handguns, shotguns and low-powered rifles.

Application forms are available in municipal, provincial, and regional PNP offices nationwide. Forms may also be downloaded at www.pnp.gov.ph.

Espina earlier said some 500,000 holders of firearms with expired licenses may avail themselves of the general amnesty to renew the validity of their guns without penalties and surcharges.        – Cecille Suerte Felipe