PNP accounts for 20 percent of high-risk gun owners

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has accounted for 20 percent of high-risk gun holders with a Type 5 license in an ongoing natiowide inspection of firearms, according to the PNP-Civil Security Group.

PNP-CSG spokesman Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano yesterday said that of the 2,213 identified Type 5 licensed firearms, mostly owned by “very important persons” or high-profile people, the PNP was able to inspect 406 within the past two months. 

The inspection aims to ensure compliance with Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. It is also part of security preparations for the May elections.

Gun owners with Type 5 license are allowed to acquire, own and possess more than 15 firearms.

Gultiano said the PNP has identified over 8,000 registered firearms under the Type 5 license. More than 6,000 of these firearms are valid and 800 have expired licenses.

Up to 394 firearms have been reported lost and 751 are unaccounted for, he said. 

Gultiano said firearms classified as unaccounted for are those that could not not be produced during inspection. 

“Some claimed their firearms were stored in their other houses, prompting the PNP to conduct a second round of inspection to verify theire claims,” Gultiano said. 

He said failure to produce the weapons during subsequent inspections may result in the imposition of administrative sanctions and fines as well as revocation of the gun holder’s  license. 

Failure to report lost or transferred firearms can also lead to fines, and in persistent cases, cancellation of licenses.

Gultiano said scheduling the inspection has been a challenge to the PNP as officers must coordinate with “busy” gun holders.

He said that PNP personnel have multiple tasks, too, making scheduling difficult, thereby slowing down the process. 

It usually takes two to three notices to gun holders before the PNP can conduct the inspection.

Although administrative penalties can be applied for failure to report lost or transferred firearms, Gultiano said criminal charges may arise if a firearm license expires.

“A firearm with an expired license is considered a loose firearm, and if it is used in any illegal activity, the holder may face charges of illegal gun possession,” Gultiano said. 

The PNP’s monitoring of Type 5 gun holders aims to regulate gun ownership in the country.

While Type 1 to Type 4 firearms holders are also subject to inspection, high-risk people under Type 5 remain the priority.

Gultiano said possession of a firearm is not a right, but a privilege as affirmed by the Supreme Court.