The Philippine National Police has identified the proliferation of loose firearms as the “critical log" in the "log jam concept", serving as one of the main obstacle in the anti-criminality drive. As of this month, records show that there are 2,586 expired licensed firearms, 1,762 estimated loose forearms in the province of Bohol, 77 of which are in the hands of the local communist movements, 15 are in the possession of wanted persons, while the remaining 1,670 are with the general population. The alarming increase of loose firearms within the Philippine archipelago has been marred the PNP, as mostly among the crime incident involving guns, many of it are loose firearms. To address the problem, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered for the implementation of the National Firearms Control Program in pursuant to Executive Order 817 of the Final Amnesty Program, henceforth the PNP is tasked to conduct aggressive interdiction operations to confiscate loose firearms in the hands of threat groups, criminal elements, civilian gun holders and delinquent licensed firearms owners.

From August 1 to October 31 this year, all holders of firearms with expired licenses will be given the chance to renew their expired licenses waived of penalties and surcharges. Likewise, the PNP will give all holders of undocumented firearms the chance to peacefully surrender these illegal weapons during the last and final amnesty period from October 1-31 to avoid criminal prosecution. At the same time, the PNP will also give holders of loose firearms the opportunity to legalize their ownership of these unregistered guns to become duly licensed firearms. To increase and intensify public awareness on the campaign to the general population and other groups with loose firearms to avail of this opportunity the Bohol Police Provincial Office launched the National Firearms Control Program Information Caravan last October 3. Headed by police provincial director, PSSupt. Edgardo Ingking, the motorcade started from Bohol PPO, Camp Francisco Dogohoy then proceeded to the mains streets of the City of Tagbilaran and briefly stopped at Plaza Rizal for a short rally and distribution of leaflets to the passers-by. Before the programs ended, the provincial director, representing the PNP as a whole, urged the public to support this national undertaking to rid our society of the instruments of crime and violence to establish lasting peace in our country.