About 21,000 guns and firearms in Bicol are now considered loose firearms by the police in the region.
It swelled when the license renewal was postponed due to the nationwide community quarantine implemented in March.
According to Police Maj. Barry Gibb Zorilla, assistant chief of the Regional Civil Security Unit-5, the registration reopened in July but failed because gun holders had to travel to their regional office in Legazpi City, Albay.
“Lumobo po talaga yung mga expired na baril dahil sa lockdown, talagang lumobo siya kaya sinisikap naming na marenew ito lahat,” said Zorilla.
The PNP-Bicol and NBI in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, have started a one-stop-shop registration caravan where the application and renewal of License To Own and Possess Firearms or LTOPF will be facilitated.
“Kapag na-expire ang lisensiya ng baril, isa na po itong krimen. Ang mag-possess kayo ng unlicensed na baril ay considered loose firearms yan, so anytime pwede kang ma-subject for search warrant or any corresponding offense. ‘Yan mabigat ang parusa diyan kapag nahulihan ka ng baril, lalo na ngayong panahon. Kaya mas maganda ang nangyari dito sa LGU-Iriga na pinayagan tayo na makapagsagawa ng renewal,” Zorilla said.
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Number of loose firearms in Bicol increased
The Camarines Sur Provincial Crime Laboratory is part of the caravan for drug testing.
“May bayad po yung drug test gumawa na rin po kami ng sistema na yung Landbank dito sa Iriga pwede na natin ibayad yung OP, order of payment ng crime lab sa Landbank-Iriga”, said Police Lt. Aljo Liray, admin officer of Camarines Sur Provincial Crime Laboratory Office.
In compliance with the health safety protocols, LGU-Iriga conducted a rapid anti-body test for the 2-day caravan participants while the clients were strictly wearing face masks and face shields.
Before the end of the year, the PNP-Bicol targets to take the LTOPF caravan to Masbate City.
GunU LGU holders can contact www.facebook.com/rcsufive or 09178189129 for inquiries.
Regional CSU is confident that the caravan will also help in holding peaceful and orderly elections by 2022.