| The Philippine National Police will build a rewards | | | | making illegal gun possession a non-bailable offense as |
| program for persons who can identify the existence | | | | a part of the governing body's new drive to reduce, |
| of loose firearms after the end of the gun amnesty | | | | if not completely eliminate, a projected 1.1 million |
| period on October 31, Interior and Local government | | | | loose firearms in the country. |
| Secretary Ronnie Puno said yesterday. | | | | Under Republic No. 8294, which amended President |
| Puno said that once these loose or illegal guns are | | | | Decree 1866, the penalty of prision correccional in its |
| confiscated, the PNP might decide to donate them to | | | | maximum period ( six years ) and a fine of not less |
| the local police station in the barangay or town | | | | than P15,000 is imposed on any person found guilty |
| where these were snatched. | | | | of the unlawful possession, make, sale, purchase, or |
| 'There will be a rewards program for anybody after | | | | disposition of firearms or ammo which makes the |
| October 31,' Puno asserted. 'Anyone who can point | | | | crime a bailable offense. |
| to the PNP the existence of unlawful firearms will get | | | | EO 817, which supplies for a general amnesty for the |
| a reward for it.' | | | | registration of loose firearms, jobs the PNP to |
| Puno called on the public to cooperate with the govt. | | | | conduct active police operations against unregistered |
| in its fresh campaign to against loose firearms, which | | | | firearms thru random weapons checks in crime-prone |
| he announced, will make a contribution to the nation's | | | | areas ; mobile checkpoint and chokepoint operations ; |
| peace and order Problems. | | | | intelligence increase ; internal security operations ; |
| The DILG chief earlier warned holders of illegal | | | | application of search warrants ; and dismantling of |
| firearms that after the one-month gun amnesty | | | | personal armed groups.the govt. expects to reduce |
| period expires on Oct. 31, all guns not properly | | | | by at least 3 p.c. each month the projected 1.1 million |
| registered would be confiscated immediately and | | | | loose firearms currently in the hands of threat |
| criminal charges would be filed against the owners in | | | | groups, criminal elements and unapproved people. |
| court. | | | | Such number of loose firearms also includes guns with |
| The PNP, he revealed, has compiled a listing of late | | | | expired licenses. |
| registrants-complete with their addresses-who will be | | | | The PNP is targeting to account for some 33,000 |
| given the likelihood in the gun amnesty period from | | | | loose firearms within the first month of |
| Oct. 1 to 31 to update the registration of their | | | | implementation of EO 817. |
| firearms.prior to this Oct. 1-31 amnesty period, the | | | | Puno along with PNP chief Director General Jesus |
| PNP will already start accepting applications beginning | | | | Verzosa and heads of other law enforcement |
| Aug. One to accommodate those who want to | | | | agencies signed last July 23 the Implementing Rules |
| comply early with the law. | | | | and rules ( IRR ) of EO 817, |
| To make it convenient for gun owners to register | | | | In varied Regional Peace and Order Council ( RPOC ) |
| their unlawful firearms, the PNP will establish | | | | conferences and dialogues with local managers, |
| registration stations in the different towns and towns | | | | ">Ronnie Puno has called on elective officials to |
| nationwide, Puno recounted. | | | | help the DILG and PNP carry out an info campaign on |
| The DILG and PNP are asking Congress to pass a law | | | | the gun amnesty program. |