105 OG No. 37, 5523 (Sept. 14, 2009); Bulletin/Star, July 12, 2009
WHEREAS, the pursuit of
peace and order has always been a basic government concern;
WHEREAS, the proliferation of loose firearms has
remained as a critical obstacle in the fight against criminality;
WHEREAS, as of May 2009, the Loose Firearm Estimate
of the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that there are an
estimated One Million One Hundred Ten Thousand Two Hundred Seventy
Seven (1,110,277) loose firearms nationwide: 559,326 firearms have
expired/unrenewed licenses, 15,676 firearms are with the threat groups,
5,726 firearms are with the criminal elements and 529,550 unregistered
firearms are with the general population;
WHEREAS,
statistics also show that from 2004-2008, ninety seven percent (97%) of
all the crime incidents involving firearms were committed using
loose/unregistered firearms;
WHEREAS, pursuant to
the duty of the state to protect its citizens and maintain peace and
order, there is a need to implement a National Firearms Control Program
that would reduce the number of loose firearms by an average of three
percent (3%) a month through aggressive continuing law enforcement
actions, to include a general amnesty for loose firearms;
WHEREAS, all loose firearms holders, be they with
expired licenses and/or unregistered firearms, shall be encouraged and
be given an opportunity to obtain the required firearms licenses
through the Final General Firearms Amnesty;
WHEREAS,
this would reduce the chance of loose firearms being used in election
related crimes which may derail the realization of a peaceful, orderly,
and credible electoral exercise in 2010;
WHEREAS,
there is a need to synchronize the efforts of the PNP, the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and all other Law Enforcement Agencies to
ensure success of this intensified campaign against loose firearms.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO,
President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by law, do hereby order this intensified campaign against
loose firearms:
SECTION 1. The AFP, NBI, BOC, the
Philippine Ports Authority, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as
well as all other Law Enforcement Agencies are hereby mandated to
conduct continuing and intensified law enforcement actions,
independently or jointly with the PNP, to confiscate and seize all
loose firearms.
SECTION 2. A Final General Firearms
Amnesty will be implemented for a period of one month, from October 1
to 31, 2009. All individual and judicial entities may renew their
expired licenses and/or register their unregistered firearms with the
PNP.
SECTION 3. The PNP Chief shall issue such
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to effectively carry out the
intents of the Final General Firearms Amnesty, subject to the
approval/concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government.
SECTION 4. The National Law Enforcement
Coordinating Committee (NALECC), in coordination with other concerned
government agencies, shall review existing firearms laws and
regulations and propose necessary amendments to institute an effective
National Firearms Control Program.
SECTION 5. All
orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 6. This order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this
7th day of July in the year of Our Lord, Two
Thousand and Nine.
(Sgd.) GLORIA M.
ARROYO
By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO
R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary