Only 1 in 100 unlicensed gun-owners availing amnesty program - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has received 1,828 applications to have their unlicensed firearms registered - a low number considering police estimates that there are some 110,000 loose firearms nationwide. Sr. Supt. Danilo Maligalig, Operations Management chief of the PNP Firearms and Explosive Division (FED), on Tuesday said they continue to appeal to other owners of unlicensed firearms to avail of the amnesty program under Executive Order 585, which started November 15 last year. "This is a one-year amnesty so this will be terminated on November 14, 2008," Maligalig said in a news forum at Camp Crame, adding that owners of loose firearms have simple procedures to follow, which they will learn when they visit their nearest police stations. "We're coming up with programs to advertise this program, especially its procedure," Maligalig said. Maligalig noted that in the last two amnesty programs, most of the applicants tried to avail during the last two months. This fuels authorities' optimism that more gun-owners will avail of the amnesty. "Hopefully, we will reach 100,000 this time. I maintain a positive attitude on this," he said. Maligalig disclosed that of those who applied this time, 1,561 were given license cards, of which 648 are high-powered firearms, and the rest are low-powered. Maligalig said it is important to account for all unlicensed firearms as this could help much in solving crimes. - GMANews.TV