THE Philippine National Police has reportedly put on hold the issuance of permit to carry firearms outside one’s residence, since the suspension of its former chief, Director General Alan Purisima.
The Firearms and Explosives Office has not issued the permit since December 3, a day before Purisima was preventively suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for a plunder complaint.
The PTCFOR is issued to licensed gun owners with serious threats to their safety, allowing them to carry their guns wherever they go. It costs over P6,000.
It is different from a firearm license, which all gun owners must secure from the FEO.
Under the new gun control law or Republic Act 1059, the Comprehensive Law on Gun Control, gun owners must first secure a license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) before they can have their firearms registered and licensed.
A source said the PTCFOR secretariat has stopped issuing permits in the absence of a full-time PNP chief, the one authorized by law to sign the permit.
The PNP has been led since December by Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina, but only as officer in charge.
Purisima, meanwhile, resigned as PNP chief in February over his participation in the January 25 operation of the Special Action Force in Mamasapano, which left 44 troopers dead.
Recently, Espina signified his intention to be relieved of the position but President Aquino said he would only relieve Espina after appointing a new PNP chief to replace Purisima.
The issue over the PTCFOR came in the light of recent pronouncements of the PNP that it would be business as usual for the 150,000-strong organization, and with the National Police Commission expanding Espina’s powers as an officer in charge.
Data from the FEO showed around 1.6 million registered firearms, some of which have expired licenses and owners failing to renew the registration.
An expired license means that a gun is illegal and its owner may face arrest for violating the law.
The LTOPF under the new gun control law requires: a written application to own and possess firearms, court clearances, neuro-psychiatric clearance; drug test; gun safety certificate; National Police Clearance, birth certificate or passport, proof of latest billing, two government issued IDs, income tax return, certificate of employment, business permit or any proof of income to prove one’s capability to own and maintain a gun. SFM/AC