MALACAÑANG
Manila
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 817
PROVIDING FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENSIFIED CAMPAIGN AGAINST
LOOSE FIREARMS
WHEREAS, the pursuit of peace and order has always been a past
government concern;
WHEREAS, the proliferation of loose firearms has remained as crucial
obstacle in the fight against criminality;
WHEREAS, as of May 2009, the Loose Firearms Estimate of the
Philippine National Police (PNP) show that there are an estimated One Million
One Hundred Ten Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Seven (1,110,277) loose
firearms nationwide: 559,326 firearms have expired/unrenewed licenses, 15,676
firearms are with threat groups, 5,762 firearms are with the criminal elements and
529,550 unregistered firearms are with the general population;
WHEREAS, statistics also show that from2004-2008, ninety seven
percent (97%) of all the crime incidents involving firearms were committed using
loose/unregistered firearms;
WHEREAS, 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 that would reduce the number of loose firearms by an average
of three percent (3%) a month through the through aggressive continuing law
enforcement actions, to include a general amnesty for loose firearms;
WHEREAS, all loose firearms holders, be they with expired licenses
and/or unregistered firearms, shall be encouraged and be given an opportunity to
obtain the required firearms licenses through the Final General Firearms
Amnesty;
WHEREAS, 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;
WHEREAS, there is a need to synchronize the efforts of the PNP, the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and all other Law Enforcement Agencies
to ensure success of this intensified campaign against loose firearms.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do
hereby order this intensified campaign against loose firearms:
SECTION 1. The AFP, NBI, BOC, the Philippine Ports Authority, the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency as well as all other Law Enforcement Agencies are
hereby mandated to conduct continuing and intensified law enforcement actions,
independently or jointly with the PNP, to confiscate and seize all loose firearms;
SECTION 2. A Final General Firearms Amnesty will be implemented for a period
of one month, from October 1 to 30, 2009. All individual and juridical entities may
renew their expired licenses and/or register their unregistered firearms with the
PNP.
SECTION 3. The PNP Chief shall issue such Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) to effectively carry out the intents of the Final General
Firearms Amnesty, subject to the approval/concurrence of the Secretary of the
Interior and Local Government.
SECTION 4. The National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee
(NALECC), in coordination with other concerned government agencies, shall
review existing firearms laws and regulations and propose necessary
amendments to institute an effective National Firearms Control Program.
SECTION 5. All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SECTION 6. This order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July in the year of Our Lord, Two
Thousand and Nine.
By the President:
EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary
