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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Around 539,000 guns in PH have expired licenses, PNP says

Around 539,000 guns in PH have expired licenses, PNP says

Published May 30, 2023 07:46 am
The Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed on Tuesday, May 30, that there are around 539,000 firearms with expired licenses across the country. And Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, head of the PNP Directorate for Operations, revealed that nearly 19,000 of these loose firearms belong to the police and soldiers. Firearms with expired licenses are considered loose firearms and those who would be caught possessing them would certainly be slapped with illegal possession of firearms.  This is the reason why the PNP has been calling firearms owners with expired licenses to surrender their guns to the local police stations for safekeeping until such time that the licenses are secured. “As of May 26, 2023 the total unrenewed firearms is around 539,000,” said Francisco. Out of this number, around 9,700 belong to the police while 9,200 were traced to be owned by military personnel,” he added. Francisco then urged policemen and soldiers with expired licenses to immediately renew the licenses of their firearms, saying that they should serve as role models as they are tasked to enforce the laws. As part of the accounting process at the level of police and military personnel with expired gun permits, Francisco said the PNP leadership has already tasked police commanders to compel their men to comply with the law. He said coordination is also being made with the Armed Forces of the Philippines with regard to the same concern.  “I think we have to start telling our commanders to check on their personnel to renew their firearms. Our focus now is for the PNP and AFP personnel first to renew their unrenewed firearms so that we become a role model and encourage civilian firearm license holders to follow suit,” said Francisco. From Jan. 1 to May 26 this year, a total of 11,417 loose firearms were confiscated while a total of 3,599 people were arrested. During the same period, police units received 6,513 firearms for safekeeping and filed 1,783 cases in court.  Based on the PNP data, there are around 1.15 million licensed firearms across the country.   
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