The Police Regional Office in Davao Region has called on firearms holders to complete the requirements for Firearms Registration (FR) or renew their License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) within six months before its expiry date. To further cater to the firearm holders, the Regional Civil Security Unit in Davao Region (RCSU-11) opened Monday a Stakeholders’ Assistance Center at SM City Davao as a one-stop-shop for individuals wanting to register their guns. Col. Richard Verceles, RCSU-11 chief, said Monday the establishment of the center is in line with the decentralization program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) concerning licensing and the application of LTOPF, FR, and license to exercise security profession (LESP). It is also in compliance with the government’s Ease of Doing Business program. Verceles said loose firearms in Davao Region alone are estimated to be more than 18,000 in number. Only 400 have renewed their licenses as of April, according to Verceles. In Davao City, he said there are some 10,000 illegal gun holders. Most of the city gun holders failed to renew their firearms and are now being subjected to house-to-house visitation by PNP personnel, according to Verceles. “This will address and intensify the PNP’s anti-criminality program, the Oplan Katok, to constantly remind the firearms owners to process and secure proper permits, licenses, and registration to avoid confiscation and inconvenience,’ he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency