The Peaceful Responsible Owners of Gun Incorporated or PROGUN may have scored in its conflict against the Philippine National Police over the new Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.
The Supreme Court has ordered Philippine National Police Director Alan Purisima to answer the contempt petition filed by a gun owners group for what the latter said is the continued violation of the temporary restraining order issued by the Tribunal against the implementation of its new firearms licensing system under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.
In an en banc order released to the media Thursday, the SC directed Purisima and other PNP officials to file their comment on the petition to cite for contempt filed by the Peaceful Responsible Owners of Gun Incorporated or PROGUN within 10 days after receiving copies of the order.
“Acting on the verified petition for contempt dated July 2, 2014 filed by counsel for petitioner in G.R. No. 211567, the Court resolved to require the Philippine National Police, through its Chief, General Alan Purisima, Police Superintendent Moro Virgilio Laza, Chief, Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO), Police Superintendent Robert Po, Deputy Chief, FEO, Police Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Chief, Firearms and Licensing Division, FEO, and Police Inspector Ernesto Esguerra, Chief, Individual Licensing, FEO to comment thereon within 10 days from notice thereof,” the SC order read.
The Tribunal also ruled to defer action on the motion to order the suspension of expiration of all firearms licenses effective April 10, 2014 also filed by the PROGUN pending the resolution of the contempt charges.
In its contempt petition, the PROGUN accused Purisima and the other respondents of continuing to implement the new scheme under RA 10591 despite the injunction issued by the SC last April.
The group said the PNP-FEO continues to require licensed gun owners to go to the police general headquarters in Camp Crame for the renewal of their gun licenses which it added is among the provisions in the said law covered by the injunction order.
The group said that despite the TRO, the waiver and consent requirement is still being enforced in all firearms registration with the PNP.
If allowed to do so, the waiver and consent requirement would have allowed police personnel to visit and enter the residence of any applicants for gun license and registration which it said constitute violation of various constitutional rights, including the right against unreasonable and illegal searches.
Aside from the enforcement of a waiver and consent requirement for registration and licensing of firearms, also covered by the TRO are: The decision of the PNP to centralize all gun regulatory processes, including requirements, testing, renewal, and licensing at Camp Crame instead of their regional and satellite offices and the utilization of courier service to deliver approved firearm licenses. --Source: Interaksyon