The Philippine National Police (PNP) has confiscated more than 500 pieces of firearms as part of the intensified campaign against loose guns in preparations for the local and national elections on May 9.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the 526 short and long firearms were seized during what he described as street inspections of operatives of the Civil Security Group (CSG) across the country from January 1 to 20.
Street inspections involve checking of firearms of security guards to determine if those who carry them have necessary papers such as the security guards' License to Exercise Security Profession; Agency's License to Operate and duty detail order.
Any lacking or expired document shall be a basis for confiscation, according to Carlos.
"The firearms were confiscated for justifiable grounds such as failure to present a valid permit or license to own and possess a firearm. It could also come from security personnel who presented an expired Duty Detail Order (DDO) or could be the lack of it," said Carlos.
"Likewise, some firearms were tampered with, defaced, and/or with duplicated serial numbers," he added.
Carlos said the confiscation of firearms comes with penalty that include P50,000 fine for the first offense and cancellation/revocation of License to Operate for the Private Security Service Providers for the second offense.