THE Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Office (ZPPO) said they are convinced they will be able to account the estimated 12,000 loose firearms all over the province now that President Gloria Arroyo has extended the gun amnesty period until Nov. 30.
Arroyo’s Executive Order 817-A granted a one-month extension to the Final General Firearms Amnesty that lapsed on Oct. 30, citing the damage caused by tropical cyclones “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”
EO 817-A amends the original order dated July 7 which provided for a Final General Firearms Amnesty to be implemented from October 1 to 30.
The President has said that the extension of the registration of loose firearms will provide substantial results especially among many prospective registrants in remote areas and provinces who have expressed the need for more time to register their firearms.
Arroyo also noted that the amnesty extension was also upon a suggestion by the National Firearms Control Program executive committee.
With the additional 30-day reprieve to gun owners to renew their expired firearms licenses or register their unregistered firearms, PNP Provincial Director S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena urged those concerned to do so at their convenience.
Ochotorena added that the government is firm in its campaign against loose firearms to reduce the chance of loose firearms being used in election-related crimes in the 2010 electoral exercise next year.
After the gun amnesty draws to a close by Nov. 30, an advance nationwide gun ban might be implemented, he said, as suggested by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
A Manila newspaper has reported that the Comelec wanted a total gun ban ahead of February 9, 2010, the start of the campaign period for national candidates in the 2010 elections, suggesting Nov. 20 as the likely date.
Comelec chair Jose Melo said the total gun ban will make it illegal for anyone who is not a candidate for public office to carry firearms during the campaign period, which starts 90 days before the election for national candidates, and 45 days before for local bets.
The official campaign period for national candidates in 2010 will start on Feb. 9 and end on May 8 while the campaign period for local positions is from March 26 to May 8.
Melo added that only the security details of those running for the position of mayor and above may carry firearms and only two security personnel in uniform are allowed per candidate.
As of Nov. 7, ZPPO records showed that only 830 gun owners have registered their firearms while another 723 renewed their licenses.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA