Gun ban lifted after June 9

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) will no longer implement gun ban beyond June 9 but will sustain the enforcement of checkpoints to prevent the proliferation of firearms, as agreed upon by participants of the 2nd National Firearms Control Program (NFCP) yesterday.

“We have noted the lessons learned from the (implementation of) gun ban like (the maximum number of) the security detail to politicians,” PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said last night.

On June 10, Verzosa said gunholders with a permit to carry firearm outside residence (PTCFOR) could bring their firearms with them.

The PNP chief also said among the policies being considered was for police officers and military personnel in civilian clothes to secure PTCFORs. He noted that the fee for the permit will be minimal so as not to put a financial burden on law enforcers.

“The second year of implementation of the NFCP will be focused on five components: rationalized firearms control; provisions of security detail; legislative agenda; accounting, inventory and registration of firearms; and continuing law enforcement actions,” Verzosa said.

He said the main objective of the consultative summit is to assess and review the implementation of component activities under the NFCP, including the legislative agenda, accounting and inventory of all firearms, general firearms amnesty, intensified police and law enforcement operations, election gun ban and election-related incidents, advocacy for responsible gun ownership, and other firearms-related concerns.

“The PNP seeks to facilitate a lively and open exchange of opinion to energize our common desire for effective gun control,” Verzosa said. “Thus, we are providing more inputs by way of statistical and narrative presentation of facts and figures related to the firearms control campaign, crime data, and analysis of the correlation of crime incidents and gun control.”