Pimentel backs PNP gun amnesty plan

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. lauded yesterday the recommendation of Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Calderon for the declaration of amnesty for loose firearms, recently endorsed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno

With the amnesty program, Pimentel noted the people will be encouraged to surrender their unlicensed or loose firearms to the law enforcement authorities.

However, Pimentel also urged the PNP to make sure that the government is acting decisively in its crackdown and dismantling of armed groups and private armies of influential politicians.

Pimentel said the PNP should also double its efforts to decrease the reported number of 300,000 loose firearms all over the country. Failure of authorities to go after loose firearm holders would likely increase the chances of scrupulous individuals in the conduct of crimes, the senator said.

"The proposed amnesty may gain public support provided the gun owners who apply for it would actually surrender the firearms under their possession," the minority leader said "It is important that the amnesty should result in the reduction in real terms of the loose firearms circulating in the country."

The proposed amnesty, to be implemented through a presidential proclamation, will mean that persons who will voluntarily surrender their unlicensed firearms to the PNP will be entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution for illegal possession of firearms.

Pimentel challenged law enforcement agencies to pursue more aggressive and effective strategies in addressing the problem of proliferation of loose firearms which has greatly contributed to the horrifying crime wave.

"Firearms are deadly weapons in the hands of the criminals and the unscrupulous. Their possession should be strictly regulated so that only those who are law enforcers should be allowed to have them in their possession," he said.

Pimentel rejected the reasoning that criminality will be prevented by allowing the ordinary civilians, especially those who claim that their safety is in danger to carry firearms that are licensed by the police.

"The argument that the criminals would then have the upperhand if firearms possession is strictly regulated is a false argument that assumes that the government is not capable of protecting our people," he said.

The opposition senator also reiterated that the Arroyo administration should scrap its poorly-conceived plan to issue firearms to civilian volunteers purportedly to bolster the campaign against communist insurgents.

Pimentel warned that this scheme would be taken advantage of by unscrupulous politicians to build up private armies, especially in view of the fact that there will be elections in May, 2007.

He said the rearming of civilian volunteers is totally inconsistent with the PNP’s plan to collect loose firearms through amnesty.