Tacloban, CDO named pilot areas for VisMin gun permit renewal hubs

MANILA: The first gun permit renewal centers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Visayas and Mindanao will rise in Tacloban City and Cagayan de Oro, respectively. "We are opening by the end of the month the Tacloban center in Visayas, then eventually we go to Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro for the meantime. We would then start expanding. How can those who need to renew their gun licenses come to Metro Manila if they have threats to their lives?", PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said in an interview on the sidelines of the 2nd PNP Press Corps (PC) Invitational Shootfest in Camp Karingal, Quezon City on Friday. The measure is part of the PNP's push to streamline and make the process of renewing permits to carry firearms (PTC) more accessible. Marbil also said he wants the process of renewal of the license to own and possess firearm (LTOPF) and firearm registration (FR) for gun owners to be fully computerized. To date, applicants still have to personally go to Camp Crame to avail of this service. "We tried using AI (artificial intelligence) in our computers, particularly in the accounting of firearms and it will show the duplications. This is what we are doing now. We also don't want to rush because we might have double entries. Also, we want to make (sure) that there would be no glitches in the system as the threat of hacking is present," he said in Filipino. Marbil, meanwhile, lauded the PNP PC's program to raise awareness of responsible firearms ownership. "Alam mo lahat tayo kahit naman ako (All of us, including me) let's be responsible. Huwag tayo mag-init. Ang baril (Let's not be hot-headed. Guns are) designed to protect us and protect others. So sa mga gun owners, ang isipin natin make sure na dapat lagi tayong cool (To gun owners, let's always make sure to keep cool)," he added. PNP PC president Mar Gabriel also emphasized the need for every journalist to be prepared for any eventuality in the line of their work. 'This event is aimed at encouraging our brothers and sisters in the media pro fession to seek another alternative in protecting themselves despite the recent spate of attacks in our ranks,' he added. It is a Level 1 Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA)-sanctioned match with five stages and 120 rounds for handguns and pistol caliber carbine (PCC). The shootfest, which runs until Sunday, will also serve as a fundraising activity for emergency financial assistance for members in the event of harassment and attacks. Source: Philippines News Agency