PNP registers 54,515 more loose firearms

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has registered 54,515 more loose firearms during the first 16-day extension of the gun amnesty program.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the month-long extension of the amnesty program is meant to register more loose firearms and minimize election-related violence during the May 2010 elections.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Maligalig, deputy chief for administration of the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Division (FED), said 225,852 firearms are now registered with the FED.

Of this, 181,051 had expired licenses, 37,384 were unregistered, 6,783 were recovered from criminal elements, and 634 recovered from threat groups.

Upon the request of the PNP, President Arroyo signed Executive Order 817-A directing the PNP to extend the gun amnesty program until Nov. 30.

At the end of the first month of the gun amnesty program, the PNP had registered 171,337 firearms, both loose firearms and those with expired licenses.

Verzosa reiterated his call for the public to have their guns registered to strengthen the government’s campaign against loose firearms.