PROVIDING FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENSIFIED CAMPAIGN AGAINST LOOSE FIREARMS
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
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.
Adopted: 07 July 2009
(SGD.) GLORIA M. ARROYO
President of the Philippines
BY THE PRESIDENT:
(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary
[*] Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.