Only 2.1% of around 43K firearms, license holders in WV renew permits

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Only 2.1% of firearm owners and license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) holders in Western Visayas have been renewed.

Based on the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6’s baseline data, there are around 43,758 firearm holders in the region. However, only 942 have renewed firearms.

But how about the others?

“Majority remain unrenewed,” Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said.

Records showed that 10,842 have remained unrenewed. Also, 5,906 firearms were deposited with the police; 191 were surrendered; 2,744 were declared lost; and 1,167 have been reported sold.

106 holders denied ownership while 8,167 have transferred residence; 3,968 licensees have already died; 170 were considered fictitious persons; 7,768 have uncertain addresses; and 155 were classified as custodia legis or “in the custody of the law.”

At present, 1,634 licensees are being processed.

As of February 11, 2021, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has the most number of renewed firearms in its area of jurisdiction at 290 and LTOPF at 283; while 1,755 for both LTOPF and firearm licenses are being processed.

Malong said there could be several factors for the low turnout in renewed firearms and licenses.

For one, the pandemic has caused limited travel around the country.

“Most of the firearm license holders failed to renew their permit (LTOPF) and gun permits because they couldn’t go to the firearm licensing office to process their documents,” she said.

But Malong said most of them have been subjected to “Tokhang” (getting visited and knocked) to inform them to renew their licenses.

“Others inform us that they still have no budget to process their renewal,” she said.

In several instances, the PNP had set LTOPF caravans to bring services for firearm and license renewal closer to the public. But only several holders took the opportunity to renew it.

“I think our field units have done their part in reminding and doing information dissemination to the public. If you want to own a gun, there’s a corresponding responsibility that goes with it,” Malong said.

That’s why for those who have yet to renew their licenses, they have to deposit or surrender their firearms or else the police would have no recourse but to apply for search warrants and raid them.

The Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU6) has laid the LTOPF requirements:

1. Filled-up application forms (2 pieces);
2. Original drug test result from the PNP Crime Laboratory with receipt;
3. Photocopy of two valid government-issued identification cards/Senior Citizen ID;
4. Original copy of gun safety seminar certificate with receipt;
5. Original NBI clearance with receipt;
6. Original birth certificate issued by PSA or by the local civil registrar or photocopy of passport;
7. Original neuro-psychiatric examination result from the PNP Health Service or DOH-accredited government hospital with receipt;
8. Original local police clearance or DI or RID clearance with receipts;
9. Original proof of latest billing or barangay clearance; and
10. Proof of income. Any of the following (original or certified true copy of the issuing office)

* Authenticated copy of pay slip

* Latest copy of ITR received by the BIR

* Authenticated copy of business permit

* Certificate of employment

* Authenticated copy of appointment order

* Authenticated copy of retirement order

* Certificate of pension

* Bank certificate of deposit

* Land title issued by the Registry of Deeds

* Certification from barangay chairman and COP for proof of livelihood (for farmers only).

The RCSU-6 noted that all certified true copy or authenticated copy documents should be issued by the concerned office and placed inside a long brown envelope.