Philippine National Police chief, Director Gen. Jesus Verzosa has urged gun holders in possession of “patently loose firearms” to take advantage of the amnesty program of the national police which is being implemented for the last time from October 1 to 31, even as he warned violators of stiffer penalty like possible imprisonment.

“We encourage our constituents to register their patently loose firearms to avoid legal problems in the future like heavy fines and imprisonment,” Verzosa said, during his visit to the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) in Zamboanga City.

Verzosa said that the PNP is offering two amnesty programs — one, which started last August 1 which is for those who have expired and un-renewed firearm licenses; and two, is the one-month amnesty period from Oct. 1 to 31, which is for the patently loose and never-been-registered firearms.

The PNP chief was in Zamboanga City on Friday to inaugurate the new offices of its Firearms and Explosives, Security Agency and Guards Section (FESAGS), which is now a satellite office as a one-stop shop for the renewal of firearms licenses and issuance of permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) catering to gun holders in the island of Mindanao. It is the third satellite office of its kind in the PNP, the two being located at PRO 7 in Cebu City and at PRO 1 in San Fernando, La Union.

Verzosa also said the PNP is now proposing amendments to the firearms law which seek, among others, to make illegal possession of three or more firearms a non-bailable offense.

“We expect the new law on possession of firearms to have more teeth by increasing the fines and penalty of illegal possession of firearms,” Verzosa said, adding that the PNP expects to have a full accounting of firearms in the hands of the civilian population as well as the military and police after October 31, the end of the final amnesty being granted to holders of loose firearms.