PNP clarifies nationwide audit of licensed firearms for 2025 elections

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Security Group’s (CSG) nationwide accounting of licensed firearms focuses on gun owners with a Type 5 license for now, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

The CSG earlier said it would be verifying and physically accounting for “all firearms acquired, owned or possessed by licensed individuals and entities” across the country, as part of its preparations for the 2025 national and local elections.

Fajardo said the initiative was already implemented on Monday with an initial 2,000 Type 5 license holders.

A Type 5 license “allows a citizen, who is a certified gun collector, to own and possess more than 15 registered firearms,” according to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act (RA) 10591.

The gun owners will first be notified through a letter, after which uniformed personnel from the respective Regional Civil Security Unit will arrive at their registered address to conduct an inspection.

Fajardo clarified that during the inspection, the personnel would not enter the premises because that would require a search warrant.

She added that there were no specific dates for the inspection and personnel were not barred from verifying information with officials if the licensed gun owner was not found in the registered address.

License holders would face administrative sanctions if they failed to register a change in address, report that any firearm was lost or stolen, or indicate a transfer in possession.

Once the CSG finishes accounting for Type 5 license holders, it will proceed sequentially through Types 4, 3, 2, and 1, according to Fajardo.

A Type 4 license allows ownership of 15 guns at most, Type 3 allows 10 guns at most, Type 2 allows five guns at most, and Type 1 allows two guns at most.

“Normally, ang tina-target natin yung mga nag-expire na, yung mga paso na yung lisensya through Oplan Katok, so separate ito,” Fajardo said.

(Normally, we target the expired licenses through Operation Katok, so this is separate.)

The PNP spokesperson added that while the measure was in preparation for the elections, the initiative will be completed even if the duration of its implementation goes beyond the May 12, 2025 polls.

READ: Simplified licensing of gun-makers sought 

When asked about potential pushback from gun owners, Fajardo said, “I’m sure they would understand ‘yung objective ng PNP to check kung nasa inyo pa ba without saying na sila ‘yung problema. Wala tayong sinasabi na ‘yun ‘yung problema.”

(I’m sure they would understand the PNP’s objective to check if the gun is still with the owner without saying that they are a problem. We’re not saying they are a problem.)

She then stressed that complying with the initiative “promotes responsible ownership” and “shows good faith.”

The PNP Firearms and Explosives Office is tasked by RA 10951 to oversee the regulation of guns in the country.

READ: PNP tightens security as election season kicks off 

PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil previously ordered police units nationwide to tighten security ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.