Since August 1, the Philippine National Police has started processing application for the registration of unregistered guns instead of the scheduled October 1-31 as mandated under Executive Order 817 of President Arroyo’s National Gun Control Program. This is in anticipation of the volume of applicants availing of the Final Firearms Amnesty.
After October 31, all gun owners who failed to register their loose firearms or renew expired gun licenses will be facing arrest and criminal charges.
The DILG and the PNP are asking congress to pass a law making illegal gun possession a non-bailable offense to impose stricter penalties in strengthening the PNP’s campaign to reduce loose firearms in the country.
The usual privilege of granting a 50% discount to government officials and employees applying Special Permits for privately owned firearms shall not be applied under the firearms amnesty program, however, the privilege will be given upon renewal of their license to possess firearms.