(File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group (CSG) will open its one-stop-shop and other satellite offices on Saturdays and Sundays for the processing and issuance of firearms-related licenses as part of efforts to crack down on the proliferation of loose firearms.
“Ang dahilan ng pagdami ng loose firearms ay ito ay nae-expire na firearms registration that’s why in Camp Crame, we opened our services even Saturday and Sunday starting June 10 then in our different CSG units were are doing the same thing, open din kami ng Sabado at Linggo including yung satellite offices namin pati mga stakeholders assistance centers that are located in different SM Malls. As approved by the Chief PNP, diretso na ito even after the elections (The reason for the increase in loose firearms is that firearms registration is expiring that's why in Camp Crame we opened our services even Saturday and Sunday starting June 10. In our different CSG units were are doing the same thing, we are also open on Saturday and Sunday, including our satellite offices as well as stakeholders assistance centers that are located in different SM Malls. As approved by the Chief PNP (Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.), this will be done directly even after the elections),” CSG director Brig. Gen Benjamin Silo Jr. told reporters in an interview Thursday afternoon.
He added that the move aims to accommodate people who do not have time to transact on weekdays due to work.
“Ang first consideration namin is para sa convenience ng mga kliyente namin. Alam namin na maraming gun holders na working sa government and private corporations. So Monday to Friday nandun sa opisina kaya wala sila ng time kaya during Saturday and Sunday ito na yung pagkakataon nila na makapunta dito at ma avail yung services namin. Alam niyo naman sa Camp Crame kapag Sabado at Linggo napakaluwag lalo na sa parking areas namin (Our first consideration is for the convenience of our clients. We know that there are many gun holders working in government and private corporations. Monday to Friday they are at the office so they don't have time, so during Saturday and Sunday this is their chance to come here and avail our services. You know that at Camp Crame on Saturdays and Sundays, it's very open, especially in our parking areas),” he explained.
Meanwhile, PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) chief Brig. Gen Paul Kenneth Lucas said effective immediately, the extended weekend office hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 2 p.m. cut-off time for the neuro-psychiatric examination and drug testing, which is among the requirements for firearms permit renewal, will also be implemented to ensure a smooth and streamlined process for all applicants.
The CSG is the PNP's office in charge of administrative and operational control in the regulation of firearms, explosives and private security industries.
Silo said as of June 2, a total of 2.1 million firearms have been registered with the PNP but around 539,000 of these have an expired registration.
“Sa geographical assessment namin ang pinakamalaking lugar na maraming pasong lisensya ay ang NCR, 211,000, Region 4A ay meron din 108,000 at ang pangatlo ay Region 3 meron silang 63,000 (In our geographical assessment, the largest area with many expired licenses is NCR, 211,000, Region 4A also has 108,000 and the third is Region 3, they have 63,000),” said Silo. (PNA)
