Around 40T unlicensed guns still abound in WV
More than 40,000 unlicensed firearms still abound in Western Visayas despite the recent firearms amnesty program of the government.
Despite the government’s firearms amnesty program, around 40,000 unlicensed firearms were still unaccounted for in the whole region according to the Police Regional Office 6.Records from Police Regional Office (PRO) VI revealed that of the estimated 52,759 unlicensed guns in Western Visayas, only 9,771 guns were made to undergo the government’s Extended Firearm Amnesty Program (Executive Order 817-A), which ran from October 1 to November 30.
But despite the 42,988 discrepancy, PRO-6 Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD) chief Senior Supt. Ricardo dela Paz claimed that they have gone beyond their target.
“Na meet na naton ang aton target to account at least 3% of the target of the total loose firearms diri sa region,” he added.
PRO-6 headquarters accounted for 3,419 guns; Aklan with 648; Antique with 664; Capiz with 1,409; Guimaras with 93; Iloilo with 844; Negros Occidental with 1,643; Bacolod City with 974; and Iloilo City with 77.
Most of the 9,771 guns have unrenewed licenses which accounted for 6,436, followed by unregistered with 2,666.
The PNP’s Kontra-Boga operations managed to yield 669 guns.
From 10th nationwide, Western Visayas now ranked fourth in terms of firearms’ amnesty accomplishment, dela Paz added.
“We attributed it to the massive information dissemination. Tungod sa bulig sang aton man media, even our remote barangays knew about National Firearms Control Program,” he further stated.
After the accounting of unlicensed guns, dela Paz warned that massive crackdown of owners of unlicensed guns will follow.
Earlier, PNP Regional Director Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas reiterated the call for gun owners in Western Visayas to take advantage of the extension and the very minimal fee in the amnesty program
The amnesty program covers the patented firearms only. Home-made or Paltik guns will not be accepted for registration but may be surrendered to any PNP unit for destruction, without any penalty to the owner.
Cuevas warned the people of Region 6 that failure to avail of the extended amnesty program can have serious repercussion on firearm holders who technically are possessors of illegal firearms.
He also said that House Bill 6776, which seek to impose stiffer penalties against persons and entities possessing illegal firearms and ammunition, is now pending in Congress. Under the Bill, prison terms for illegal possession of firearms are not subject to probation, hence, offenders can never escape prison.
