Philippine National Police (PNP) – Central Visayas intensifies campaign against loose firearms as an estimated 52,000 loose firearms are circulating. This is following Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s directive to reduce the number of loose firearms by three percent every month.
Loose firearms include those that are being carried by threat groups, criminal gangs, ‘paltik’ holders and those gun owners with expired license, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Regional Director C/Supt. Lani-O Nerez said.
Nerez said it will be the responsibility of the chief of police to ensure that gun owners with expired licenses will renew their license to the Firearms and Explosives Division of PRO-7. After the amnesty period of 6 months, there will be an intensified gun control nationwide and stiffer sanction against violators.
PRO-7 Deputy Director for Operations S/Supt. Louie Oppus meanwhile, said they are proposing some areas as ‘gun-free zones’ where police in civilian clothes and even civilians with gun permit are not allowed to carry firearms.
Areas that can be classified as gun free zones are those areas frequently visited by local and foreign, according to Oppus. They will likewise endorse the list of recommended gun-free zones to Camp Crame for approval. (PIA/FCR)