Approval of gun amnesty sought

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is hoping President Arroyo will approve the proposed four-month gun amnesty when she arrives home on Saturday.
Chief Superintendent Ireno Bacolod, Civil Security Group director, said they are awaiting the executive order implementing the gun amnesty.

However, gun dealers oppose the gun amnesty and rewards system for loose guns.

Hector Rodriguez, Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines president, said the proposed amnesty will only allow gun smugglers to legitimize their guns and sell them.

“I don’t think armed rebel groups will come out in the open and have their guns registered,” he said.

“The gun amnesty will be counter-productive as it will only allow gun smugglers and gunrunners to have their weapons registered.”

AFAD is a nationwide organization of 65 companies involved in the manufacture and sale of guns and ammunition.

Under the planned amnesty, gun holders can register their firearms regardless of their origin provided these were not used in crimes.

The AFAD is also opposing the system of rewards for tipsters who give police information leading to the seizure of loose guns. “It could be used to harass gun owners who had failed to renew licenses for their guns,” the AFAD said.

Rodriguez said the PNP should make a clear-cut distinction of what is covered by the reward system. – With Mike Frialde