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(NAR) VOL. 25 NO. 1 / JANUARY - MARCH 2014
[ LTO MEMORANDUM, January 03, 2014 ]
GUIDELINES IN THE ISSUANCE OF MISSION LETTER/ORDER AND POLICY ON CARRYING FIREARMS
Adopted: 03 January 2014
Date Filed: 23 January 2014
In line with the streamlining of policies of this Office, all LTO Regional Directors are hereby authorized to approve Mission Letter/ Mission Order of their respective Region’s Law Enforcers, pursuant to Section 7.13.6 of the newly published and issued Implementing Rules And Regulations of Republic Act No. 10591 dated May 29, 2013, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition And Providing Penalties for Violations thereof, relative to the carrying of firearms, to wit:
1. | Government firearm holders are allowed to carry their firearms outside of residence when they are covered with a Mission Letter/ Order issued by the Authorized Official. | |
a) | The bearer of the mission letter/ order shall sign an undertaking immediately below the signature of the issuing authority to the effect that the mission letter/ order holder is certifying that he has read and fully understood the contents of his/her mission order and binds himself/herself to strictly abide by and comply with the instructions contained therein. | |
b) | Only agents, who are in regular plantilla of the government agency involved in law enforcement and are receiving regular compensation for the services rendered in the agency, are allowed to be issued letter/mission order. Further, a civilian agent must be included in a specific law enforcement/ police/intelligence project proposal or special project which specifically requires the use of firearms to ensure its accomplishment and that the project is duly approved at the Police Regional Office Level or its equivalent level in major services of the AFP and NBI or at higher level Command. | |
2. | Members of the law Enforcement Services of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are authorized to carry their issued firearms while on duty within their respective operations only. | |
After their tour of duty, the firearms should be returned to the property custodian for safekeeping in the depository. In case of missions outside of their official stations, they may be allowed to carry their duly issued firearms provided they are covered by a MISSION ORDER stating in the period and places covered. | ||
3. | Manner of Carrying Firearms: | |
1. | As a general rule, firearms shall be carried only while in proper uniform. | |
2. | The sidearm carried by a person in uniform shall be placed in a holster securely attached to the belt. | |
3. | Personnel in uniform but without holster and those in civilian clothes who are authorized to carry firearms outside of their residence shall ensure that their firearms are concealed in a case/bag except during actual use for a legitimate purpose. | |
4. | The practice of fragrantly displaying a firearm or tucking it in the waist while in uniform or in civilian clothes is prohibited. | |
5. | Only firearms specifically described in the mission letter/ orders shall be carried by the the personnel concerned. | |
4. | Limitations and Restrictions: | |
Those authorized to carry firearms shall not bring said firearms in public drinking places, cabarets, public dance halls and public amusement places, place of worship, malls, markets, or while attending civic, political and religious rallies and meetings. | ||
5. | Effectivity: | |
Period sufficient to finish the mission but not more than ten (10) days. | ||
Further, it is understood that Mission Letter/Mission Orders of Regional Directors and Assistant Regional Directors shall be approved and evaluated by the undersigned. For strict compliance.
(SGD) ATTY. ALFONSO V. TAN, JR.
Assistant Secretary