Palace: Centralized gun licensing needed; 70% of data fake

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang defended on Saturday, March 8, the decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to centralize gun licensing operations in Manila, after it was revealed that more than half of gun holders have submitted “spurious or fictitious” information to obtain permits.

“The PNP Firearms and Explosive Office and a civil security group reviewed the records, and they found out that 60% to 70% of firearms holders have spurious or fictitious data,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

“For example, some names, addresses, or pictures of the licensed firearms owners do not match. It raised doubts and concerns on the integrity of these records,” Coloma said. (READ: Want to own a gun? Here’s how easy it is)

“Any reasonable person who finds that out would decide to cleanse or fix the records. It would be dangerous to have too many loose and unauthorized firearms in the country,” he continued.

There are 1.7 million registered firearms in the country, according to the PNP. Coloma said that there must be an efficient and reliable process of verification.

He mentioned PNP’s “Operation Katok (Knock),” where the police went door-to-door to verify and examine the firearms by registered holders. This contributed to the decrease in the number of crimes during the 2013 midterm elections, said Coloma.

He added that the police stands by its continuing efforts to disarm people who have not properly registered their guns.

Satellite offices closed down

The PNP has closed down its satellite offices for renewal of gun licenses. Centralizing firearms registry operations in Metro Manila will further raise the integrity of the firearms registry system, Coloma said.

Coloma added that it would be safe to assume that those who could afford to buy guns can also afford to travel to Manila to have their firearms registered properly.

“Iyong isang firearm, halimbawa, ay P10,000 ang halaga. Dahil dito, resonable nang sabihin na ‘yung bumibili ng sandata o firearm ay mayroon namang sapat na kakayahan o kinikita at kaya naman niyang magbayad ng pamasahe – kahit na galing sa Mindanao,” he said.

(One firearm, for example, is worth P10,000 ($225). It is reasonable to say that those who could buy a firearm can also afford the fares [to Manila], even if they are from Mindanao.”)

Asked about the guns used by security guards, Coloma said that the verification process can be done through their security agencies, which should shoulder the expenses for the sake of their businesses.

“Tila common sense lang ‘yon na sila ay mayroong negosyo, panindigan nila ‘yung pangangailangan ng negosyo nila,” he added. (It is perhaps common sense that they should respond to the needs of their businesses.)

In May 2013, President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act 10591, improving the standards and prerequisites that need to be in place to acquire a gun license. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com

Hand with gun image from Shutterstock.