PNP to abide by SC ruling on gun policy
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured Friday it would abide by the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court on the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act 10591.
“We will comply and follow the decision of the Supreme Court but our desire to cleanse the system remains,” said Chief Superintendent Louie Oppus, PNP Firearms and Explosives chief in a press briefing.
Oppus said the PNP only received the TRO 10:40 a.m. this Friday after the high court issued it last Tuesday, April 8.
The high court stopped the PNP from “the centralization of firearm licenses, delivery of licenses and inspecting of dwellings of gun owners.”
Following the TRO, he said the PNP would re-open its satellite offices this April to accommodate pending gun applications.
The regional satellite offices of the PNP for gun licensing were closed last month after PNP Chief Alan Purisima ordered the closure of these offices following allegations of irregularities and corruption in gun licensing.
He clarified the intent of the new firearms law after the high tribunal challenged the implementing rules and regulations of the new firearms law.
“The implementation of the new firearms law or RA 10591 is to reduce the proliferation of loose firearms in the country and ensure that only qualified individuals and juridical entities can own and possess firearms and be accountable with,” he said.
He added that the centralization of gun licensing would ensure the integrity of the data base and lessen the element of human intervention.
The PNP has yet to submit its comment before the high court.
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