Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered a review of the legal provision on firearms ownership involving those with pending criminal cases following the recommendation of the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) to revoke the gun permits of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Marbil confirmed that he already received the FEO recommendation to revoke the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) of Quiboloy, amid calls for the PNP to take back the permits for the 19 firearms that the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) owns.
“They are checking the legal provisions, I have it reviewed before I sign it,” said Marbil.
Quibloy is facing criminal cases before a Pasig City and Davao City courts for human trafficking and child and sexual abuse.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier slammed the PNP for its slow action to revoke the firearms of Quiboloy.
In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the existing provisions on the cancellation, suspension and revocation of gun permits do not apply to Quiboloy.
But she said the FEO Board has deliberated on whether or not Article II Section 4g of the Republic Act 10591 could be used in the case of Quiboloy.
The provision is under Article II (Ownership and Possession of Firearm) and stated that one of the Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and Obtaining a License to Own and Possess Firearms is that: “(g) The applicant has not been convicted or is currently an accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of more than two (2) years.”
Such provision, however, only applies to applicants to own firearms and Fajardo said the deliberation whether or not such a requirement, the Section 4g, is a “continuing qualification”.