Last 6 April 2015, the Philippine National Police (PNP), led by its Civil Service Group held a public discussion forum at the PNP general headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City. The forum led by PNP-CSG Commander Gen. Melito Mabilin and Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) Col. Dennis Siervo, was for the "streamlining" of the licensing process for firearms. As stated in the forum, the "marching orders" given to the CSG and FEO were to "make life easier for licensed firearms owners". WIth this in mind, the streamling process for obtaining a License to Own and Possess Firearms or LTOP has been made easier as follows:
1. Court and Prosecutor's clearance shall no longer be required. Instead, the spplicant shall obtain an NBI Clearance. This is because the NBI record is nationwide and more encompassing than the court clearance which is just for a specific city or municipality where the applicant lives.
2. Drug and Neuro Psych testing shall be expanded to include more government and private testing centers (not just PNP accredited)
3. Number of copies of Forms shall be only two: one for the PNP and one for the applicant.
4. The time to process the LTOP from filing to approval shall take only 40 minutes. This is due to the computer system that forwards the application from initial evaluation directly to the Chief for approval and signature electronically.
5. Firearms safety seminar shall be expanded to include not just gun clubs but also individual qualified firearms instructors who may administer the seminar. Continue Reading
Tag: LTOP
PROGUN Christmas Party at the Supreme Court: Filing of Petition against LTOP and IRR
PROGUN Christmas street party which is the filing of our second petition to annul the LTOP and IRR will be on Monday 22 December 2014 Padre Faura Manila in front of the Supreme Court gate. No food, no drinks, No karaoke, just shouting and cursing angry words LOL! Meet 10am at Robinson's Manila Padre Faura entrance. Park at Mall car park. Hope to see you all there!
It is pathetic that in our democratic society we have to go to the Supreme Court to ensure that our basic rights are not trampled upon. What should come as a matter of course in any free and constitutional society, is hard fought in the Philippines. But this the price we have to pay for freedom. Vigilance is not a mere byword to be forgotten after the hard earned freedom we won in the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Patriotism is not a long lost term relegated to the heroes of the Philippine revolutionary war of 1896. In every generation new people are called up once again to stand up and slay the dragons of oppression and tyranny. Freedom is paid for by the blood and sacrifies of martyrs and heroes. It is our time. It is our fight. It is our responsibility.
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It is pathetic that in our democratic society we have to go to the Supreme Court to ensure that our basic rights are not trampled upon. What should come as a matter of course in any free and constitutional society, is hard fought in the Philippines. But this the price we have to pay for freedom. Vigilance is not a mere byword to be forgotten after the hard earned freedom we won in the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Patriotism is not a long lost term relegated to the heroes of the Philippine revolutionary war of 1896. In every generation new people are called up once again to stand up and slay the dragons of oppression and tyranny. Freedom is paid for by the blood and sacrifies of martyrs and heroes. It is our time. It is our fight. It is our responsibility.
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Phase 3
Our fight against the oppressive firearms law and rules has now entered into a new phase. Phase 1 was the intial battle in the Supreme Court wherein PROGUN made a show of force and secured a temporary restraining order against the Philippine National Police ("PNP")and the implementation of anti-gun policies. Phase 2 just recently was concluded with the change in leadership within the PNP. Now, we are in Phase 3: which is a second petition in the Supreme Court for annulment of the License to Own and Possess Firearms ("LTOP") and the Implementing Rules and regulations of the oppressive firearms law RA 10591. Phase 4 is a long term fight in Congress and Senate to Amend RA 10591, which would have to wait till after 2016 when there is a change in this current anti-gun presidency and the political landscape.
PROGUN is challenging the LTOP requirement insofar as it is being applied retroactively by the PNP. Being a criminal law, RA 10591 should have only prospective application otherwise it runs afoul with Article 3 sec. 22 of the Constitution which prohibits Ex Post Facto. Simply stated, licensed gun owners who are already in possession of their firearms cannot be compelled to re-apply and re-qualify for a wholly new and more stringent firearms license, since their licenses were already legal and approved before. The same applies to licenses to deal, manufacture, and importation of firearms by entities licensed to engage in such activities.
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PROGUN is challenging the LTOP requirement insofar as it is being applied retroactively by the PNP. Being a criminal law, RA 10591 should have only prospective application otherwise it runs afoul with Article 3 sec. 22 of the Constitution which prohibits Ex Post Facto. Simply stated, licensed gun owners who are already in possession of their firearms cannot be compelled to re-apply and re-qualify for a wholly new and more stringent firearms license, since their licenses were already legal and approved before. The same applies to licenses to deal, manufacture, and importation of firearms by entities licensed to engage in such activities.
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Can Anyone comply with LTOP and Registration? Why the LTOP is Unconstitutional
As of 23 June 2014 the Philippine National Police has unceremoniously begun requiring all licensed gun owners to "migrate" to the "new system" under recent law RA 10591. Under this new system all existing licensed firearms owners who were previously approved are once again required to re-qualify and submit all over again all new requirements for "license to own and possess" a firearm ("LTOP"). The lengthy requirements such as neuro-psych testing, drug test, intelligence clearance, NBI and court clearance, gun safety seminar, among others, are required to be accomplished by personal appearance at Camp Crame, Quezon City. Due to the closure of PNP regional satellite offices, no license applications, processing, or approvals, may be done in the Provinces, thus requiring a 7 day trip to Metro Manila for 1.7 million licensed gun owners from all over the country. The PNP facilities at Camp Crame Quezon City are limited to a SINGLE hospital. Neuro and psych exams take at least 3 hours, for which assuming a 24 hour basis only 8 applciants could be processed per day. Continue Reading