PNP targets 1.1 million loose firearms in RP
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/24/2009 11:07 AM
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MANILA - The chief of the Philippine National Police on Wednesday offered rewards to tipsters who will help crack down on an estimated 1.1 million loose firearms in the country.
PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa told ABS-CBN News the loose firearms have several categories: formerly licensed firearms with expired registration (550,000), individual persons with unlicensed guns (520,000) and firearms handled by rebels and criminal elements (15,000 to 20,000).
"We have a reward system right now to account for loose firearms. Our proposal is to give P50,000 for recovery of three to five firearms. If there is increased recovery for stashes of firearms, we will evaluate the reward to be given," he said.
He added that the Office of the President has allotted P5 millon for the campaign against loose firearms.
He revealed that data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed the Philippines ranked tenth among the countries with a high rate of gun-related homicides.
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