Gun holders use fake addresses to secure license

MANILA, Philippines - Over 70,000 gun holders secured licenses from the Philippine National Police (PNP) using fake addresses, it was learned yesterday.

In a two-page report, the PNP, through the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) and the Directorate for Operations, stated that there were 71,438 addresses that were not found when police operatives conducted Operation Plan Katok.

Oplan Katok was designed to check on gun holders who failed to renew their firearms licenses, which contributed to the number of loose guns used mostly in committing crimes.

The report dated Oct. 31, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, showed most of the fictitious addresses were in Southern Tagalog (R4-A) with 21,918, followed by the National Capital Region with 21,718.

The PNP has been trying to account for about 533,000 loose firearms, which were previously registered with the FEO but for still unknown reasons their owners failed to update the registration.

Since the start of Oplan Katok, the PNP has conducted about 507,048 house visitation operations.

With Oplan Katok, licenses of 38,952 firearms are now in the process of renewal with the FEO.

The PNP has accounted for 8,656 firearms with expired licenses which have been surrendered for safekeeping.

Even before the signing of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act, the FEO had initiated a stricter policy for individuals applying for firearm licenses, requiring them to present proof of billing to make sure they are really residing at the stated address.