Police expands dragnet vs loose firearms

THE Philippine National Police (PNP)-Western Visayas is working closely to expand its operation against loose firearms, a police official said.
 
Chief Superintendent Agrimento Cruz, PNP regional chief, issued an ultimatum to gun owners with expired gun licenses to renew and avail of legitimate permit to carry and gun permit at home as the deadline nears on December 31, 2012.

The firearms and license division reported that there are 37,821 registered firearms in the region and 33,675 firearms have expired licenses.

The nonrenewal of licenses includes 29,573 individual firearms and 4,102 juridical firearms.

Cruz said owners of firearms with expired licenses will be charged in court for illegal possession of firearms.

Firearms with expired licenses are considered “loose firearms.”
 
All PNP units in the region are being mobilized to conduct operations against loose firearms in support of the peace and order directive of the President in preparation for the 2013 midterm elections.
 
Cruz said the operation will cover significantly against private armies, politician’s bodyguards, and other persons with firearms. (Lydia C. Pendon)