MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of Iloilo owns 86 unlicensed firearms of different makes and calibers, according to a report released yesterday by the Commission on Audit (COA).
State auditors, who informed Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. of their findings, said the licenses of the guns had expired two years ago, making mere possession of them illegal under Republic Act 8294.
The COA warned the provincial government that unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by imprisonment and fine depending on the caliber.
“A list of firearms submitted by the General Services Office (GSO) reveals that of the 97 firearms of various make and caliber, only the licenses of 11 units were renewed,†the state auditors said.
Based on an inventory review, the state auditors found out that the provincial government failed to renew the licenses of the firearms as of Dec. 31, 2012.
The audit team said concerned employees offered various explanations for the non-renewal of the licenses.
Some opted to surrender the firearms for safekeeping by the police while one submitted a copy of an updated firearm license to the GSO.
“We recommend that the provincial government immediately apply for the renewal of the licenses of these firearms with the Office of the Philippine National Police (PNP),†the COA report said.
The agency said the authorized personnel of the provincial government should coordinate with the PNP or the military for the renewal of firearms’ licenses.
The PNP, in a report submitted during the end of the election gun ban, revealed that of the 613,657 gun holders with expired licenses, 245,000 have renewed their registration as of the first week of June. This means that 368,657 firearms remain unlicensed as of that date.