ILOILO – There are 6,307 firearms in this province that are either unregistered or have expired registrations, data from the Regional Civil Security Unit (RSCU) of the Police Regional Office 6 showed.
They are part of the 28,794 firearms in Western Visayas that either have unrenewed License To Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) or Permit To Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).
Firearms with problematic registrations were also recorded in the following areas:
* Negros Occidental – 5,689
* Iloilo City – 4,692
* Bacolod City – 4,645
* Capiz – 3,399
* Aklan – 1,774
* Antique – 1,748
* Guimaras – 540
The Iloilo police provincial director, Police Colonel Adrian Acollador, urged owners of unregistered guns or guns with expired registrations to “deposit” them with the police.
The processing of LTOPF and PTCFOR has been suspended by the Commission on Elections due to the upcomingl elections.
“I-deposit nila anay sa police while waiting sang ila papeles. Kay ginakabig ina nga loose firearms kag basi makasohan sila,” said Acollador.
On April 1 and 2, the RSCU held a “one-stop shop” that shortened the processing time of applications/renewal of gun licenses. Only 265 persons filed./PN