Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame
MANILA, Philippines — The nationwide audit of licensed firearms is already underway in Visayas and Mindanao, the Philippine National Police Civil Security Group (PNP CSG) confirmed on Tuesday.
The CSG previously released an advisory saying it would be verifying and physically accounting for “all firearms acquired, owned or possessed by licensed individuals and entities” across the country to bolster security for the May 2025 elections.
When asked if the initiative had begun in Visayas and Mindanao, in an interview with reporters at Camp Crame on Tuesday, CSG Director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco confirmed that the nationwide accounting of licensed firearms was underway in the two island regions.
“We are inspecting LTOPFs (License to Own and Possess Firearms) in Visayas and Mindanao, through and through. This is running really through the PTCFOR (Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence Secretariat) and the Office of the Chief PNP,” he said.
The CSG, through its Firearms and Explosive Office, regulates the purchase and management of firearms as outlined in Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Last November 12, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo clarified that the initiative would first apply to an initial 2,000 Type 5 license holders.
READ: PNP clarifies nationwide audit of licensed firearms for 2025 elections
Francisco said that when it came to the group’s campaign against loose firearms, the CSG was tightening its checkpoints and coordinating with offices on the regional, provincial, city, and municipal levels.