Quezon traders avail themselves of gun amnesty

Lucena City , Philippines   – Businessmen turned out to be the most number of gun holders who availed of the amnesty program offered by the government here in Lucena City.

Police Officer 3 Aldrin Andres, Firearms/Law Enforcement official, said the gun amnesty program is in accordance with EO 817 issued on July 19. Police Superintendent Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, said the EO which created the National Firearms Control Program aims to reduce the number of loose firearms by an average of three percent a month through aggressive continuing law enforcement actions, to include general amnesty for loose firearms.

Andres said the proliferation of loose firearms in the country where 97 percent of the crimes based on statistics from 2004-2008 are committed using loose firearms.

“Most businessman took the opportunity, and an average of five to 10 persons per day showed up in the office to avail of the gun amnesty program,” he told to The Star.

He said that qualified applicants may register any number of firearms for an amount of P1,000 and for unrenewed firearms at P650. He said that a 50 percent discount is given to government officials and employees applying for special permits. The amnesty period will last in October this year.  – Michelle Zoleta