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Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Director Chief Supt. Jaime E. Milla on Wednesday vowed to strictly implement the National Firearms Control Program in the region.

In line with the Executive Order No 817, the government is now in its massive campaign against loose firearms by offering amnesty for holders of loose firearms.

There will be no let-up in the campaign to rid the society of these tools of criminality. Stiffer penalty will now be imposed for firearms law violators, Milla said.

“As ordered by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pursuant to Executive Order No. 817 implementing the National Firearms Control Program, the Philippine National Police shall, henceforth, conduct aggressive interdiction operations to confiscate loose firearms in the hands of threat groups, criminal elements, civilian gun holders, and delinquent license firearms owners,” Milla said as he quoted the statement of PNP chief director general Jesus Versoza.

Milla also said the National Firearms Control Program seeks to account for all firearms in the possession of the general population including those covered by expired licenses: to account for all captured, confiscated, surrendered, deposited, abandoned and forfeited firearms in the custody of the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies; to account for all firearms under custodia legis or firearms submitted as evidence in court; and to account for loose firearms in the possession of the threat groups and criminal elements.

Police operations against unregistered firearms will continue with random weapons check operations in crime-prone areas; mobile checkpoints and chokepoint operations; intelligence build-up; internal security operations; application of Search Warrants; and dismantling of private armed groups, he said.

Part of the over-all effort in support of the program for effective firearms control, Milla also said, is the legislative agenda that seeks stiffer penalty for possession of firearms particularly when offenders are known members of organized crime groups.

We are particularly seeking legislation that will make possession of three or more loose firearms a non-bailable offense, he added.

Milla said among the measures on firearms as recommended during the Firearms Control Summit convened by stakeholders representing the different sectors of society, was that they have generated a list of more then 500,000 delinquent gun owners, who have failed to renew their respective firearm licenses, thus adding to the over-all estimated 1.1 million loose firearms in the country.

Effective October 1, 2009, the PNP is offering a Final General Firearms Amnesty for loose firearms under the National Firearms Control Program, he added.

However, Milla said, as early as August 1, 2009, processing applications will start for registration of loose firearms and renewal of expired licenses.

“We are starting early in anticipation of the heavy volume of applicants when the month-long general firearms amnesty comes into effect in October. By that time, we hope we will be able to process all applications and issue the updated firearms license cards,” he said.

From August 1 until October 31, 2009, all holders of firearms with expired licenses will be given the chance to renew their expired licenses waived of penalties and surcharges, he said.

Likewise, the PNP is giving all holders of undocumented firearms the chance to peacefully surrender these illegal weapons during the last and final amnesty period 1-31 October to avoid criminal prosecution.

At the same time, we are giving those holders of loose firearms the opportunity to legalize their ownership of these unregistered guns to become duly license firearms, he said.

To ensure effective implementation of the Amnesty Program for loose firearms and expired licenses, the PNP streamlining systems and procedures to facilitate convenient and simplified processing of all firearms license applications, he said.

“This is the ultimate amnesty we are offering for holders of loose firearms. After this, aggressive police operations will commence against firearms law violators, and there will be no let-up or sacred cows in this campaign to rid our society of these tools of criminality,” he added.

Milla expressed optimism that upon the termination of the last and final gun amnesty on October 31, laws imposing higher penalties and non-bailable offenses shall have been enacted.

Among the actions against those who will fail to register their guns or renew their licenses include: confiscation of firearms; legal action such as application of search warrant; prospect of facing the non-bailabe offense of illegal possession of firearms as legislated.

The certainty of punishment is fully provided under our justice system that prescribes 1 to 12 years imprisonment of firearms law violators, he added.

To encourage greater citizen participation in the campaign against loose firearms, we are offering monetary reward for information leading to the confiscation of stashes or cache of loose firearm, he added

In anticipation to the sudden influx and heavy volume of applications, the PNP urged applicants to file their applications early to avoid the rush.

All city and municipal police stations as well as police provincial and regional offices will be available to accommodate and assist applicants.

“We appeal to our concerned sectors for support in this national undertaking to rid our society of the instruments of crime and violence to establish lasting peace in our country,” Milla added. (PNA)

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