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PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered a month-long gun amnesty ahead of the 2010 elections. In Executive Order 817, she ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to carry out a final general firearms amnesty program from Oct. 1 to 31 where owners of loose firearms may renew expired licenses or reigster their firearms with the PNP. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement groups were also directed to aid the PNP in confiscating loose firearms. "This would reduce the chance of loose firearms being used in election-related crimes which may derail the realization of a peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral exercise in 2010," Mrs. Arroyo said. PNP data showed there are an estimated 1.1 million loose firearms nationwide as of last May, 559,326 of which have expired licenses while 15,676 are with threat groups, 5,726 are with criminal elements. The remaining 529,550 unregistered firearms are with the general public. Data also showed 97% of all crime incidents from 2004 to 2008 were committed using loose firearms. "Pursuant to the duty of the state to protect its citizens and maintain peace and order, there is a need to implement a national firearms control program," Mrs. Arroyo said. She claimed the initiative is expected to reduce the number of loose firearms by an average of 3% a month through aggressive law enforcement, include a general amnesty for loose firearms. Mr. Verzosa was also directed to issue the implementing rules and regulations to implement the amnesty subject to the approval of the Secretary of Interior and Local Government. The President also ordered the National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (NLECC) to review existing firearms laws and regulations and propose necessary amendments to institute an effective national firearms control program. NLECC coordinates all government agencies concerned with formulating law enforcement policies, providing inputs and recommendations, and works for the passage of important legislation on peace and order, economy and the environment. The committee has 42 members and focuses on anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism; dangerous drugs; financial fraud, tax evasion and currency violation; firearms and explosives control; intelligence coordination; and coordinates with the International Police. — BSSD |