DILG directs PNP to intensify campaign versus illegal possession of firearms

Pursuant to President Joseph E. Estrada's policy statement during his recent State of the Nation Address and his verbal instructions, DILG Secretary Alfredo S. Lim has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the leadership of Chief Director Panfilo Lacson to conduct across the country an intensified campaign against illegal possession of firearms.

In his memorandum to PNP Chief Director Lacson dated July 24, 2000, Sec. Lim ordered that during the first week of the campaign, PNP should conduct a public information drive on the campaign and at the same time give those who have unlicensed firearms the opportunity to have them licensed or to surrender them to the PNP either for safekeeping or for payment of a certain price.

The campaign initially focuses on unlicensed or improperly  documented firearms possessed by officials/personnel of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies, Armed Forces of the Philippines, other national agencies and local government units, and those possessed by private armed groups and criminal syndicates. Likewise, the campaign is directed against firearms covered with license or memorandum receipt carried outside of residence without proper permit or authorization.

Also in the memorandum, Secretary Lim told the PNP to spearhead the campaign with the support and in close coordination with the AFP and other law enforcement agencies.

He told, in some areas of Mindanao and other parts of the country where the situations calls for the employment of a sizable force to conduct this campaign, elements of the AFP may be used as the principal force with the support of the PNP investigators who will conduct the investigation and file the criminal cases against the offenders.

In a related development, Secretary Lim, in a separate memorandum, has enjoined all Provincial Governors, City and Municipal  Mayors, Barangay Chairmen and DILG Field Officers to actively participate in the campaign by intensifying public information drive against illegal possession of firearms to include penal provisions as to violators thereof thru the conduct of different fora to be participated in by other local officials and members of the community among others.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Taocencio Abrigo of the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) revealed in the August 2, 2000 meeting of the Regional Management Coordinating Committee (RMCC) that law enforcers have arrested four suspected hold-uppers in the province of Quirino recently.  Confiscated from the possession of the hold-uppers were several high-powered firearms.