EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 817, July 07, 2009

PROVIDING FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENSIFIED CAMPAIGN AGAINST LOOSE FIREARMS

WHEREAS, the pursuit of peace and order has always been a basic government concern;

WHEREAS, the proliferation of loose firearms has remained as a critical obstacle in the fight against criminality;

WHEREAS, as of May 2009, the Loose Firearm Estimate of the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that there are an estimated One Million One Hundred Ten Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Seven (1,110,277) loose firearms nationwide: 559,326 firearms have expired/unrenewed licenses, 15,676 firearms are with the threat groups, 5,726 firearms are with the criminal elements and 529,550 unregistered firearms are with the general population;

WHEREAS, statistics also show that from 2004-2008, ninety seven percent (97%) of all the crime incidents involving firearms were committed using loose/unregistered firearms;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the duty of the state to protect its citizens and maintain peace and order, there is a need to implement a National Firearms Control Program that would reduce the number of loose firearms by an average of three percent (3%) a month through aggressive continuing law enforcement actions, to include a general amnesty for loose firearms;

WHEREAS, all loose firearms holders, be they with expired licenses and/or unregistered firearms, shall be encouraged and be given an opportunity to obtain the required firearms licenses through the Final General Firearms Amnesty;

WHEREAS, this would reduce the chance of loose firearms being used in election related crimes which may derail the realization of a peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral exercise in 2010;

WHEREAS, there is a need to synchronize the efforts of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and all other Law Enforcement Agencies to ensure success of this intensified campaign against loose firearms.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order this intensified campaign against loose firearms:

Section 1. The AFP, NBI, BOC, the Philippine Ports Authority, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as well as all other Law Enforcement Agencies are hereby mandated to conduct continuing and intensified law enforcement actions, independently or jointly with the PNP, to confiscate and seize all loose firearms.

Section 2. A Final General Firearms Amnesty will be implemented for a period of one month, from October 1 to 31, 2009. All individual and judicial entities may renew their expired licenses and/or register their unregistered firearms with the PNP.

Section 3. The PNP Chief shall issue such Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to effectively carry out the intents of the Final General Firearms Amnesty, subject to the approval/concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

Section 4. The National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (NALECC), in coordination with other concerned government agencies, shall review existing firearms laws and regulations and propose necessary amendments to institute an effective National Firearms Control Program.

Section 5. All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 6. This order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of July in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary