LAOAG CITY — More gun owners with expired licenses in this province are heading to the nearest police station to deposit their firearms for safekeeping and to avoid being penalized.
To avoid penalties such as imprisonment of 30 years for illegal possession of firearms under Republic Act 10951 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, police reported that Bryan Marzan, 35, of Pinili town surrendered one Armscor caliber .45 pistol on Tuesday at the Pinili police station.
On the same day, 50-year-old Eligio Catalon Jr. from Billoca village, Batac City also deposited to the Batac police station one Armcorcal .40 pistol with a license already expired last May 3, 2015.
With the ongoing accounting of more than 6,000 firearms in the entire province with expired licenses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) advised all gun owners to renew their licenses.
Police are still collating the specific number of surrendered guns, Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in interview on Tuesday.
To make it easier for gun owners, personnel from the Civil Security Group’s Firearms and Explosives Office (CSG-FEO) in Camp Crame, Quezon City will be in Laoag City on October 12 to 13 to bring the application process closer to gun holders.
Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos has enjoined all gun owners here to take advantage of the opportunity to get their firearm license without having to go to Camp Crame. PNA-northboundasia.com