Radio commentator and Home Defense Journal editor Miguel Gil (affectionately called Karancho by his family at DWBL 1242 AM) last Labor Day, found himself swamped with texts and calls from angry gun-owners who sought to air their frustration with the manner by which the Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to conduct firearms licensing and registration. ProGun secretary general Ticky Tabujara, who was Karancho’s guest on the program “Katapat sa Katarungan at Kaunlaran” (airs weekdays 9AM-10:30AM) that day, pointed out seemingly unreasonable licensing policies which he insists only serves to disenfranchise otherwise law-abiding gun-owners.

That day’s topic apparently ignited pent-up emotions of many legitimate gun-owners and compelled them to try to vent their growing dissatisfaction with the PNP. Unfortunately, the public service program, which is produced by 8 Tri Media Productions, can only take so many calls and text messages during its daily one-and-a-half hour broadcast. However, their collective voices clearly demanded for sweeping changes in current firearms licensing policies, which were described as unreasonably complicated, time-consuming and expensive.

Tabujara said that despite the ouster of Director General Alan Purisima, the PNP Firearms & Explosives Office continues to make life needlessly hard for legitimate gun owners. The disgraced police chief was initially placed on preventive suspension over a corruption scandal before he was forced to resign following his role in the Mamasapano Tragedy, which killed 44 Special Action Force commandos. ProGun late last year filed cases against Purisima over his alleged involvement in anomalies in the firearms licensing process. Tabujara said his group is seriously considering the filing of additonal cases against more ranking PNP officials who continue to make gun licensing hard for legally-armed Filipinos.

Meantime, Karancho said that if current licensing and registration policies are any indication, it would seem as though the PNP does not want the public to comply with the new gun law (Republic Act 10591). He asked whether the Aquino Administration is really laying the groundwork for widespread civilian disarmament. Karancho said that disarming Filipinos cannot come at a worst time in view of the mounting aggression of China, adding that the communist giant’s unabated reclamation efforts in the West Philippines Sea may herald darker days.  – Staff Report