By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Firearm owners in Aklan were urged to avail themselves of the amnesty program under the new gun control law.
A gun amnesty caravan will be launched next month in Iloilo City for gun holders with expired licenses and unregistered firearms.
The gun licensing amnesty program aims to regulate gun ownership by requiring the registry of all unlicensed guns, said Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion, Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) acting director.
Applications will be accepted from August 11 to 15 at the Police Regional Office 6 in Camp Delgado in Iloilo City.
The Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) of the Philippine National Police national headquarters in Camp Crame will process them, Nacion said.
Among the required documents are a drug test; court, neuropsychiatric, and police clearances; valid identification cards; proof of billing; birth certificate; and gun safety and responsible gun ownership seminar certificate.
Under the gun control law, holders of small guns (pistols and revolvers) found guilty of illegal possession of firearms will be penalized with eight to 10 years of imprisonment.
On the other hand, erring owners of Class A light weapons — automatic pistols, rifles, submachine guns, and assault rifles, among others — will be meted with 10 to 12 years of imprisonment.
Gun amnesty applicants should also submit their application for License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) for initial processing to the FEO or the Firearms and Explosives Security Guards Section at APPO.
“Without LTOPF, they could not avail (themselves) of the gun amnesty program or possess licensed firearms,” Nacion said.
The gun amnesty program is in compliance with the Comprehensive Law on Gun Control, or Republic Act 10591.
Nacion said APPO will continue Oplan Katok, the campaign against loose firearms and guns with expired licenses.
Seventeen people were arrested and 13 firearms were recovered during Oplan Katok operations in the first six months of the year, APPO data showed. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
