PNP probes drop in gun license revenue

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the alleged drop in revenue derived from issuing firearms licenses.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday he ordered the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) to explain the controversy in writing.

He said the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management has started its investigation.

“We will wait for the outcome of the investigation and we will wait for the recommendation of the investigating body on what should be done. This is a report that needs to be validated,” Albayalde said.

He said he has spoken to FEO director Chief Superintendent Valeriano de Leon.

Reports have it that despite the increasing number of gun license applicants, there was a significant decrease in the amount collected from gun license fees.

Authorities said the Health Service administered a total of 108,197 neuro-psychiatric examinations from 2017 to the first quarter of 2018, as compared to only 84,3397 from 2016 to to the first quarter of 2017.

During the 2017-2018 period, the FEO collected only P358,793,672.07, a figure that is 43 percent or P276,565,661 lower compared to P635,359,333.74 collected from 2016 to 2017. Each exam costs P900.

A gun holder needs to shell out P2,045 for all the requirements for a license to own and possess firearms: P300 for the drug test; neuro-psychiatric test, P900; Directorate for Intelligence clearance, P80; gun safety and responsible gun ownership seminar, P500; gun safety and responsible gun ownership certificate validation, P100; and National Bureau of Investigation clearance, P165.

The applicant must also present proof of billing, the latest Bureau of Internal Revenue form, certificate of employment and birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.