OCA CIRCULAR NO. 108-2005, October 19, 2005

The Supreme Court En Banc in its Resolution dated 4 October 2005 in A.M.  No. 04-6-18-SC, Re: Position Paper on Continuing Assassinations/Intentional Killings of Judges While in the Performance of Their Duties, Resolved to APPROVE
the following Guidelines for the Special Processing Privileges for the
Firearms of the Judges, as proposed by the OCA Committee on Security for
Lower Court Judges, to wit:

I. Responsibilities of the OCA Security Committee

A. Evaluation of Applications for PTCFOR

1. Judges who wish to apply for PTCFOR with the endorsement of the OCA shall submit the following to the OCA Security Committee:

   1. Application form with 2×2 ID picture (form may be secured in the Camp Crame, the Office of the PNP Regional Commander or the Office of the Provincial Police Director)

   2. Neuro-Psychiatric (NP) Clearance
   3. Drug Test Clearance
   4. Duly authenticated copy of oath of office/appointment of applicant
   5. Photocopy of valid firearms license
   6. Certification that the applicant has
      undergone basic firearms handling, nun safety seminar and proficiency
      firing, from a duly accredited gun club or from the OCA Security
      Committee

   7. Certification on the authenticity and genuineness of the documents submitted
   8. Payment in cashier’s/managers check or postal
      money order in the initial amount of P150,000, subject to reasonable
      increases as the PNP may impose
2. The Security Committee, in
   coordination with the Philippine Judicial Academy, shall undertake to
   conduct basic firearms handling, gun safety seminars and proficiency
   firing for those members of the judiciary who wish to apply for PTCFOR
   in coordination with law enforcement agencies, and issue certifications
   for those applicants for PTCFOR who attend the same.

3. The Security Committee shall
   evaluate within one (1) week from receipt thereof applications for
   PTCFOR of members of the judiciary and ensure that only applications of
   those who are qualified, competent, and who have submitted the complete
   required documents shall be endorsed by the OCA to the PNR.

4. Applications endorsed by the
   Security Committee shall be filed at the FED, Camp Crame, Quezon City,
   by the liaison officer of the OCA.

II. Responsibilities of the PNP

A. Processing of Applications Endorsed by OCA

1. Applications for the PTCFOR
   endorsed by the OCA shall be limited to handguns. In extreme cases of
   threats and imminent danger to one’s life, high-powered rifles/shotguns
   may be allowed, as determined by the PNP.

2. The PNP shall fast tract the printing and issuance of the PTCFOR ID Card of the members of the judiciary, which shall be valid
   for a duration of one (1) year from the date of the approval by
   the Chief, PNP; PROVIDED: that the period of one (1) year may be
   shortened upon recommendation of the OCA.

3. The PNP shall deliver to the OCA Security Committee
   all approved PTCFOR ID cards of members of the judiciary after payment
   of the appropriate fee. The OCA Security Committee shall be responsible
   for the distribution and release of the cards to the applicants.