Eastern Visayas has over 21k firearms with expired licenses

PALO, Leyte, Nov. 5 -- The number of loose firearms has increased dramatically as owners of 21,438 firearms in Eastern Visayas failed to renew their licenses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here reported on Monday. 

Of the 23,326 expired licenses to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) in six provinces of the region, only 1,888 have been renewed as of this week, according to PNP. 

“The new firearms law signed in 2014 asks for more requirements and some gun owners find it hard to comply the renewal process. This is the reason why the number of loose firearms in the region went up,” said PNP Region 8 assistant chief for regional civil security Chief Supt. Gregorio Nitura.

Republic Act 10591 also requires gun owners to renew their licenses every two years, and registration of their guns every four years. Failure to comply will result in revocation as well as confiscation of guns.

“If they will not comply after our intensified information drive, we will not hesitate to apply the search warrant to gun owners,” Nitura warned during a press briefing here Monday. 

The PNP regional office has been conducting provincial caravans this year to help gun owners register their firearms and renew their LTOPF. 

Earlier, caravans were held in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar.

The police is bringing the campaign in Samar province on Nov. 8 and 9.

Before the end of 2018, same activities will be held in Northern Samar and Biliran provinces. 

The caravan meant to urge gun enthusiast to legalize their ownership, and provide a one-stop shop to comply with necessary requirements for LTOPF application. 

Requirements include application forms, certificate of live birth or passport, two valid government identification cards, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, proof of income for government employees, appointment order for government officials, oath of office for elected officials, business permit for businessmen, retirement order for retired government workers and officials, and certificate of employment for private firm workers. 

Applicants during the caravan are advised to come early for them to secure the validated gun safety and responsible gun ownership certificate, neuro-psychiatric clearance, and drug test. 

Gun owners may also apply online through PNP’s firearms and explosives office website www.feo-system.com. (SQM/PNA)