(NAR) VOL. 14 NOS. 1-2 / JANUARY - MARCH 2003
WHEREAS,
a number of Firearms with licenses which were not re-registered under
Presidential National Emergency Proclamation Order No. 6 (PNEMO No. 6)
dated January 4, 1980 were cancelled;
WHEREAS, despite the issuance of Executive Orders No. 107,
122, 122-A and 122-B, an estimated 350,000 loose firearms remain to be
accounted and licensed;
WHEREAS,
it is consistent with the national interest that these loose firearms
be submitted for licensing and the holders of loose firearms be
encouraged and given an opportunity to obtain the required firearm
license;
WHEREAS, the
submission and subsequent registration of loose firearms will
undoubtedly increase the PNP Firearm Ballistics Data Bank and
consequently, widen its capabilities to investigate crimes committed
with the use of firearms;
WHEREAS,
the Philippine National Police, as the primary law-enforcement arm of
the government, lacks the required technology to efficiently make use of
the Firearm Ballistics Data Bank to support its investigative missions
and functions;
WHEREAS,
the purpose of the registration and licensing of loose firearms will be
accomplished if the appropriate technology and resources are made
available to exploit the Firearm Ballistics Data Bank;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State
to encourage the use of IT resources by governmental entities and
offices in the delivery of services to the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO,
President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1.
Any person who possesses loose firearms may surrender same to the
Philippine National Police for custody and apply for the corresponding
license as required by existing laws within one (1) year from the
effectivity of this order. Concerned holders of said firearms might
avail of this amnesty only within the period. Each firearm submitted for
licensing shall have its own distinct firearm description.
SEC 2. As a general rule,
high-powered rifles/paltik firearms may not be allowed for licensing.
However, the Chief, PNP may allow the licensing of some high-powered
firearms. Those who will surrender same will not be prosecuted for
illegal possession of firearm while in the act of surrendering the said
firearms.
SEC 3. An
amnesty fee of T
hree Thousand
Pesos (P3.000.00) for High Powered Firearms and
Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) for
Low Powered Firearms, shall be collected for each firearm
registered.
SEC 4. Fees
collected in Section 3, thereof, shall be treated as a Trust Liability
and deposited in a Special Account in an Authorized Government
Depository Bank (AGDB) to support the nation-wide implementation of the
Firearms Information Management System (FIMS), Firearms Records
Management System and the Firearms Ballistics Information System in that
priority and, any unexpended balance therefrom, shall be reverted to
the General Fund.
SEC 5.
The Firearms and Explosive Division (FED), Civil Security Group (CSG),
and the Regional Offices of the PNP involved in the processing and
registration of loose firearms shall retain
20% of the gross proceeds of
the collections to support their respective direct costs of licensing
operation.
SEC 6. The
CPNP shall issue such Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that will
effectively carryout the provisions of this Executive Order subject to
the approval/concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government (SILG).
SEC 7. All
orders, issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof inconsistent
with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC 8.
This order shall take effect
immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of
January, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand three.
(SGD.)
GLORIA M. ARROYO
By the President:
(SGD.) ALBERTO G.ROMULO
Executive Secretary