PNP hit for neglecting gun licensing work

MANILA, Philippines—Guns and ammunition dealers have asked the Supreme Court to order the Philippine National Police (PNP) to continue accepting, processing and approving new firearms licenses application.

In a 10-page petition, members of the Guns and Ammo Dealers Association of the Philippines (GADAP) said the PNP has refused to issue new firearms licenses to qualified applicants, which was in violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

“As the implementing agency tasked by RA 10591 to issue and approve firearms licenses, respondent PNP has unlawfully neglected to perform an act which the law specifically enjoins as a duty resulting from its office,” GADAP said noting that the PNP has refused to process new applications since January 2014.

“As a consequence of such licensing stoppage and refusal to approve any license applications of petitioner’s member-customers, the firearms business and the industry as a whole have suffered tremendous losses threatening to destroy the entire industry, itself,” GADAP said.

It said that since January this year, its members have laid off employees due to financial losses.

At the same time, GADAP told the high court that the PNP has refused to comply with the restraining order issued by the SC that stopped the centralized firearms license application and renewals in Camp Crame.

They said the restraining order issued by the high court mandates the PNP to continue accepting, processing and approving new licenses and renewals in all PNP regional offices.

It also said that the TRO banned the PNP from utilizing any courier service in the deliveries of approved firearms licenses.

Petitioners added that the PNP also misinterpreted the restraining order issued by the high court by claiming that only renewals of licenses are allowed in the PNP’s regional offices but not the processing and approval of new applications.

“If this policy of no approval of licenses or centralized firearms licensing in Camp Crame… is sustained, petitioner would suffer grave and irreparable injury in that it would wipe out the entire firearms industry…,” it said.

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