PRO 6 bares over 30,000 WV guns with expired permits
There is responsible parenthood and there also is responsible gun-ownership. A total contrast yet one in huge responsibility.
Alarming too for both issues however more so on the matter now of firearms in the hands of gun-owners with expired licenses and permits.
The News Today (TNT) in a report got the confirmation that as per records of the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Headquarters, Western Visayas region alone have “about 30,000” in firearms with expired licenses. The total number nationwide is about 500,000.
As such, the region’s chief of the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (FESAGSS) came out with this message - violate the government-mandated prerequisite and you face charges. Fail to heed the law and you may have just secured yourself a spot behind bars.
The stern message was subject of a news release from Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 that vowed corresponding criminal charges to gun owners with expired licenses.
“Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6), through its Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (FESAGSS), cited Section 5 of Republic Act 8294 as the basis of the filing of the case for illegal possession of firearms against the said gun owners,” the news release started. “FESAGSS chief, Police Chief Inspector Lope Manlapaz, said guns with expired licenses are considered unlicensed firearms; hence, possession of the same is prohibited by law. “
The News Today (TNT) learned that PRO 6 in a recent communication sent out a call to all gun holders with expired licenses to apply for renewal. It is imperative, the PRO 6 reminder went, to renew in order to avoid “inconvenience” for possessing the said firearms.
Case in point was last week’s “road rage” incident involving the bodyguards of Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and a civilian son of a retired Army colonel. The governor’s men – two police officers and one prison guard – figured in an altercation with the retired Army colonel’s son after the latter reportedly cut-off the governor’s convoy.
When later verified by the Jaro Police Office investigators, discovered were expired gun permits possessed by the governor’s men. However, the province’s top cop, Police Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz was quick to the governor’s rescue. Governor Tupas coming to the defense of his men announced that no less than Senior Superintendent Dela Paz have the current permits ready.
“The expired gun license stripped its owners of the privilege of possessing the firearms,” Manlapaz explained on FESAGGS’ call for timely renewal of gun permits.
The firearm license renewal fees ranged roughly from P2,500 to P3,700, inclusive of surcharges, depending on the caliber. The higher the caliber, the higher the fees, the news release continued. (With reports from POIII Francisco B Lindero, Jr.)