2nd National Gun Control Summit today

MANILA, Philippines - Gun holders with permit to carry firearm outside residence (PTCFOR) could bring their firearms with them after the election gun ban ends on June 9 in the absence of law that would support the extension of the implementation of nationwide gun ban, a police official said.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said the 2nd National Gun Control Summit will only serve as a venue for discussions on opinions of people supporting and opposing possible implementation of gun ban even after the election period.

“In the absence of any agreement on how to go about firearm control, we will observe status quo ante or the status before the election period, meaning gun holders with PTCFOR can carry their firearm without getting accosted and arrested,” Espina said.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa will be present during today’s 2nd National Gun Control Summit to be held inside the PNP Multi-Purpose Hall in Camp Crame in Quezon City, which will start at 7:30 a.m. Members of the A2S5 Coalition and other professionals opposing the possible gun ban as well as members of the Gunless Society are expected to attend the summit.

The PNP earlier said the summit will determine whether or not to extend the existing implementation of nationwide gun ban. Police officials said gun ban helped deter crimes as evidenced by the significant decrease of incidents of crime during the Comelec-imposed gun ban from Jan. 9 to June 9.

The pronouncement, however, was met with criticisms and opposition from various sectors, particularly from responsible gun holders, who maintained 97 percent of crimes involved loose firearms.

President-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said he was not in favor of the imposition of a total gun ban in the country because it might not be the answer to the crime situation.

Aquino, a gun enthusiast, said he would like to have the empirical data not just from the Philippines but other countries as well to see whether a total gun ban was an effective tool to combat crime.

He said the country only has 250,000 security forces to protect some 100 million Filipinos, noting that the population doubled from 50 million in 1986.

Espina said the position of Aquino against gun ban will be definitely considered since he will become the Commander-in-Chief.

During the summit, Espina added there will be briefing about the PNP accomplishments during the elections, particularly against private armed groups (PAGs), violators of gun ban and update of legislative agenda and the status of the national firearms control.

The PNP spokesman noted insights from representatives of religious groups and other sectors will also be heard during the summit.

 Espina added that there would be groups to properly deliberate and work on issues on gun control. He said there will be an open forum during the summit as he encouraged the members of media to be part of the process. Media is an important stakeholder on the matter.

He admitted that the one-day summit could not be enough to discuss the matter. “I don’t think we can finish everything in one day, there will be post-summit which will be a venue to tackle specific issues on gun control.”

“I hope everybody will agree on one common decision,” said Espina.