Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. on Monday ordered police officers nationwide to intensify operations against loose firearms and gun-running groups.
Nartatez directed all police commanders, down to the chiefs of police, to step up enforcement efforts, while tasking national support units such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Special Action Force to go after gun-running syndicates operating across the country.
“This is part of our anti-crime measures since firearms, particularly unlicensed ones, are the main instruments used in criminal activities. Denying criminal elements access to loose firearms will cripple their ability to operate,” Nartatez said.
While the PNP accounted for a number of loose firearms last year, Nartatez said operations must be further intensified to recover more illegal guns and prevent their proliferation.
He added that intelligence-gathering has been stepped up to dismantle existing gun-running groups and identify new players involved in the distribution of loose and high-powered firearms.
Nartatez also directed the Civil Security Group to strictly enforce measures requiring delinquent gun owners to renew expired firearm licenses.
“Gun ownership comes with obligations, including the timely renewal of licenses,” he said.
