Gun group wants PNP chief’s resignation over permit mess

MANILA, Philippines - For failing to address problems hounding the gun licensing system, a group of gun enthusiasts yesterday called for the resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima.

The Peaceful and Responsible Owners of Guns Inc. (PRO Gun), one of the groups that assailed the legality of PNP’s new firearms licensing system before the Supreme Court (SC), said the problems emanating from the move of the PNP leadership to centralize the system have become worse.

“The only solution to this is for the PNP chief to resign,” PRO Gun secretary general Atty. Ernesto Tabujara told The STAR. 

The lawyer also accused Purisima of economic sabotage for implementing “unjust regulations” in the acquisition of new gun licenses and renewal.

This was after the PNP imposed a centralization policy in which all applications for gun licenses will be processed only at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. This means that applicants from the provinces would have to stay in Metro Manila until their license have been approved. 

Tabujara lamented that  “centralization process” has killed the gun industry as half of the gun stores in the country were forced to close down.

‘Impossible’ requirements

He also said “the PNP has added requirements that are impossible to comply with in order to acquire a gun license. What they are implementing is a de facto gun ban.” 

Under the current policy of the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), gun owners now have to re-apply for a license to own and possess and re-submit a lenghty list of requirements first before their licenses could be renewed.

In addition, gun owners are now required to bring their firearms to Camp Crame in Quezon City, regardless of where the owner lives in the country, to have the firearm subjected to ballistic tests and recording in a database. However, no permit to transport the firearms have been issued by the PNP for this purpose. 

Tabujara also lambasted Purisima for not complying with the temporary restraining order released by the Supreme Court on the implementation of the new licensing system. This prompted PRO Gun to file a petition for contempt at the SC against Purisima last week. 

The group vowed to pursue other actions, including a request for investigation with the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, until the issue has been resolved.