PNP: No political agenda in ‘Revitalized Katok’

MANILA, Philippines — Firearm regulation operations are not enforced for political agendas or voter intimidation ahead of this year’s elections, according to the Philippine National Police.

The PNP’s “Revitalized Katok” program aims to ensure responsible firearm ownership, police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said.

“There is no factual basis to claim that this program is meant to instill fear. We have been implementing Revitalized Katok for years — long before the election season,” Marbil said.

“There is no agenda, no political bias and no intimidation involved. Our reminders are purely legal and procedural, targeting only those with expired firearm licenses. Nothing more, nothing less,” he added.

Gun owners must renew their licenses and firearm registration every five or ten years.

Failure to comply will result in confiscated firearms and revoked licenses.

“Our personnel conduct visits and issue notices informing them of their expired licenses and firearm registrations,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo told dzBB.

As of 2024, nearly 17,000 gun owners renewed their licenses, while over 10,000 deposited their firearms at police stations for safekeeping.

Firearms with expired registrations numbered about 1.3 million as of Jan. 16, Fajardo noted.

Of the number, around 400,000 licenses had been revoked.

Revitalized Katok will not be used to harass or intimidate people, Marbil said.

Gun ban

Meanwhile, almost 600 gun ban violators have been recorded since Jan. 12, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Five Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, four foreigners, two security guards and one police officer were among the 594 violators arrested.

Civilians accounted for 552 violators of the gun ban imposed by the Comelec in this year’s elections. — Mayen Jaymalin