The low number of gun owners who have availed of an ongoing gun amnesty program has disappointed City Police officials with acting City Police Director Noel Armilla observing that gun owners in the city seem to not mind having unlicensed firearms.

Armilla said the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) estimate some 1,200 guns in the city either to have expired licenses or to have never been registered but so far, only more than 100 have been accounted for.

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Armilla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) launched the gun amnesty program to encourage gun owners to secure permits for their firearms.

The program started July 1, 2009 and will continue till month end.

“Ang mga holders ang murag dili gusto nga malisensiyahan ang ilang mga armas so maglisod gyud ta ani kung sila mismo dili mo-cooperate sa kampanya sa polis,” Armilla said.

The COCPO had launched an information drive in various barangays in the city prior to the implementation of the amnesty program to remind gun owners whose guns have expired licenses to take advantage of the program.

To reiterate the importance of the campaign against loose firearms, the police will launch the National Firearms Control Program with a motorcade on Thursday.

Dubbed Firearms Amnesty Program, this is aimed towards the effective regulation and control of guns which can be used in criminal activities.

“Anyway sila ra gihapon ang mag-suffer paghuman sa deadline kay magpatuman man gyud og mas dako nga penalty,” Armilla said.

The failure of gun owners to renew and register their firearms will result to appropriate charges, Armilla said, adding that the police has a list of guns with expired licenses.

The Police Regional Office 10 is urging gun owners to renew their expired firearm’s licenses and or register loose firearms at the nearest police station to avoid paying penalty costs.

Gun owners may also visit the Firearms and Explosive Section (FES) at Camp Alagar, in Lapasan.

In line with this campaign, the Police Regional Office 10 is appealing to the public to support and assist the police for the sake of public safety as well as to help prevent loose firearms from being used in crimes and violence.