The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned on Tuesday delinquent gun owners and holders of unlicensed firearms to take the opportunity of registering their guns in the last 10 days of the amnesty, saying aggressive operations await those who failed to do so after October 31 this year.

So far, a total of 119,129 unrenewed and loose guns have already been accounted by the PNP since it started drawing gun owners to have their firearms registered in July this year. The PNP estimated that there are more or less 1.1 million loose guns nationwide.

Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said the public should take advantage of the final gun amnesty that will be offered by the PNP in order to avoid criminal liability should they be arrested.

“Holders of loose firearms have 10 more days to avail of the amnesty period for the registration of illegally-possessed guns as the October 31 deadline draws near. Likewise, owners of firearms with expired licenses have until Oct. 31 to update their firearms records,” said Espina.

“After the October 31 amnesty deadline, the PNP will launch intensified police action against holders of loose firearms including those in possession of firearms with expired licenses,” he added.

The PNP started accepting applications for firearms registration and renewal of expired licenses last August 1 pursuant to Executive Order No. 817 issued by President Arroyo implementing the National Firearms Control Program.

Under EO 817, the PNP is tasked to account for some 1.1-million loose firearms in the hands of threat groups, criminal elements, unauthorized firearm holders and licensed firearm holders who have failed to renew their firearms records.

The 119,129 accounted firearms from threat groups, criminal elements, unauthorized firearm holders and delinquent licensed firearm holders, Espina said, actually exceeded the three-month target of 99,925 firearms based on the targeted 3 percent monthly reduction.

Espina revealed that during the three-month period from July to September, the PNP accounted for 2,758 firearms from criminal elements and 334 firearms from threat groups in separate police operations conducted in different regions of the country.

Also accounted were 8,208 unregistered firearms from unauthorized individuals, the official said.

“We will continue to receive applications for registration of loose firearms and renewal of expired licenses until October 31. We also welcome the surrender of loose firearms by unauthorized firearms holders,” said Espina.