Problems and Challenges in the Implementation of Republic Act 10591

(Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in the Municipality of

Malabang, Lanao Del Sur 






A Proposal Paper
Presented to
Prof. Luzviminda M. Ozaraga
Department 0f Graduate School

 Mindanao State University - Main Campus
Marawi City










In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirement for the Course
PA 298-C (Research Methods in Public Administration)

MERHANA A. PAGAYAWAN 

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May 2019

Chapter I


INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Firearms often carry a symbolic, ideological and psychological significance that

far exceed its legitimate use. For some, they can be a symbol of power, believing that

without them, they would be powerless. Furthermore, people look at it as a useful object

for protection – protecting one’s family and one’s property. Regardless of the benefits of

firearms possession, their use can be abused and they can increase crime incidence rates

such as hold-ups, kidnappings, robbery, rape and carnappings throughout the archipelago.

In other words, firearms may become tools to perpetuate a cycle of violence, both direct

and structural, promoting insecurity among the populace.

In the Philippines, one of the main problems is the high number of shooting

incidents which are commonly associated with the proliferation of illegal firearms in the

hands of rebels, criminal groups and private armies. The PNP statistics from 2005-2009

show that 97.7% of all gun related crimes are committed with the use of loose and

unregistered firearms. Additionally, data from the Philippine National Police showed that

there are an estimated 1.1 million of loose and illegal firearms in 2009. Of these numbers,

15,676 are in the hands of threat groups while 5,725 are in the hands of criminal
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elements. The highest numbers of illegal firearms were reported in the areas of

Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), CALABARZON, Central Visayas,

Southern Mindanao, and Metro Manila.

To combat the rising criminality as a result of illegal possession of firearms,

Republic Act No. 10591 also known as the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition

Regulation Act” was enacted on May 29, 2013. This Act which is a consolidation of

Senate Bill No. 3397 and House Bill No. 5484 provides for the development of policies

and plans, and implementation of actions and measures pertaining to all aspects of

comprehensive firearms and ammunition regulation specifically, it indicates that:

“It is the policy of the State to maintain peace and order and
protect the people against violence. The State also recognizes the right of
its qualified citizens to self-defense through, when it is the reasonable
means to repel the unlawful aggression under the circumstances, the use
of firearms. Towards this end, the State shall provide for a comprehensive
law regulating the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing
in and importation of firearms, ammunition, or parts thereof, in order to
provide legal support to law enforcement agencies in their campaign
against crime, stop the proliferation of illegal firearms or weapons and
the illegal manufacture of firearms or weapons, ammunition and parts
thereof.”

As far as the Policy is concerned, only small arms may be registered by licensed

citizens or licensed juridical entities for ownership, possession and concealed carry.

However, there are limits on the number of firearms that civilians may possess.

Moreover, Civilians are required to have a License to Own and Posses Firearm (LTOPF)
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for them to be authorized to acquire, own/possess or use a firearm. In order to qualify and

acquire a licensed to own and possess a firearm or firearms and ammunition, the

applicant must be: a) a Filipino citizen; b) at least twenty-one (21) years old at the time of

the filing of his/her written application to own and possess a firearm or firearms; (c) has

gainful work, occupation, or business or has filed an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the

preceding year as proof of income, profession, business or occupation. An individual who

wishes to carry firearm outside his/her residence is required to have a Permit To Carry

Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).

The Municipality of Malabang in the province of Lanao Del Sur has implemented

the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act 10591

since it was introduced. Police personnel from the Municipal Police Station, as enforcers

of the law in their area of responsibility routinely conduct operations and house

visitations especially in the rural barangays of the municipality. From these operations it

was found out that there are some civilians who violated the Comprehensive Firearms

and Ammunition Regulation Act. Several operations are normal to other areas of the

Philippines so it is still surprising to some residents of the province and to the researcher

being a native of the area. Some of the Meranaos of Lanao del Sur are accustomed with

the unregulated possession of firearms. Possessions of firearms are equated by some

Meranao families as a necessity for self-defense. Another factor which the researcher

believes as one of the reasons why loose firearms are rampant in the province, especially

before the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao, is the existence of rido (family feud).

PNP are sometimes afraid to implement the law because of the fear of retaliation from the
 5

family clan of arrested violators. Some law enforcers in other areas of the province are

aware of this practice, leading them to refrain from fully implementing the law.

The implementation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation

Act in the Municipality of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur, despite of the unique conditions of

the area serves as one of the factors that led to the conduct of this study.

This paper will study the Problems and Challenges in the Implementation of

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.

It will try to find out the strategies and programs used by PNP and LGU Malabang,

Lanao Del Sur in implementing the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition

Regulation Act in the said municipality.

Statement of the Problem:

This study will try to identify the problems and challenges faced by the Police

Personnel as well as the LGU—Malabang, Lanao Del Sur in the implementation of

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act. The study will try to seek answers to the

following specific questions:

1. How well-aware are the respondents of the Policy of Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act?

2. How is the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act implemented in

the municipality?

2.1. What are the strategies and programs applied by the PNP and the Local

Government Unit of the Municipality in implementing the Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act?
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3. What are the problems and challenges faced by the PNP in the implementation of

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act?

Theoretical Framework

This study will use an eclectic approach utilizing the following frameworks:

Stages Approach in Public Policy particularly policy implementation as well as the Legal

Framework particularly the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act

10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Stages of Policy Making


Public Policy is relatively a new subfield of political science. Its development as

an area of study emerged out of the recognition that the traditional analyses of

government decision were incomplete description of political analyst. In order to further

understand the various definitions of public policy as a concept, it is but proper to define

first the concept of policy. According to Nikolaidis (2003) Policy is a rule for action,

manifesting or clarifying specific organization goals, objectives, values or ideals and

often prescribing the obligatory or most desirable ways and means for their

accomplishment. Such a rule for action established for the purpose of framing, guiding,

or directing organizational activities, including decision making, intends to provide

relative stability, consistency, uniformity and continuity in the operations of the

organization.

So many authors defined Public Policy. Public policies are those policies

developed by governmental bodies and official. For Thomas Dye, Public Policy is

whatever government chose to do or not to do. Another definition is offered by B. Guy

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Peters argues that Public Policy is the sum of government activities whether acting

directly or through agents, as it has an influence on the lives of citizens. Also B. Guy

Peters added that Politics matters in shaping policy choice. That means that governments

of different ideological orientations tend to make different choices with respect to how

the state should allocate its resources and how those resources should be mobilized.

One of the most common approaches used in the study of Public Policy is

viewing the Policy Process as a series of Sequential Stages. This approach is the so called

Stages Approach in Public Policy. Here, the process of Policy Making involves a number

of stages. These are 1) Problem Formation, 2) Government Agenda, 3) Policy

Formulation, 4) Policy Adoption, 5) Policy Implementation and 6) Policy Evaluation.

Policy is always a response to something and that something is the expression of a

need or demand. Until the problem is expressed, it simply does not exist. Thus, the first

step in making policy is called a Problem Formation or Issue Formation in which it

involves the expression of a need or demand to government. People must know and

identify their problem so that the government can do something. This answer questions

like “Who makes the demands?”, “How are the demand made”, and “What demands are

being made?”

It doesn’t mean that the demands of people are produce, the policy makers will

pay attention on it and people cannot assure that the problem they presented to policy

makers has the guarantee to approve it. After Policy Formation, the people must get the

attention of the government. So the second is concerned on getting the attention of the

government. People must have an option like a personal contact with the government

official or a simple demonstration so that the people can get the attention of the policy
 8

makers. Then if a policy demand received a government notice, we can say that it has

been placed on the Government Agenda.

For the Policy Process to continue it is necessary for government to consider ways

to deal with the problem and this stage is the Policy Formulation. Policy Formulation of

policy proposal ordinarily includes not only the statement of the goals of the policy, but

the various alternatives for achieving these goals. This stage involves the development

and synthesis of alternative solutions for policy problems as both theoretical and

conceptual activities. In Policy Formulation, it concerned with the questions what?

The fourth stage in the Stages Approach in Policy Making is the Policy

Adoptation. It refers to the Process of getting government to choose one of the options it

is considering. Why governments selects one course of action and not the alternative is

the question concerned in this point. Here, it concerned about why one proposal is

adopted over another.

So for the Policy Process to continue, the Policy Implementation or Policy

Execution will be the next. Implementation represents the conscious conversion of policy

plans into reality. In this stage, Policy Implementation means that because Public Policies

are rarely self-executing, the government’s choice of a policy option means nothing

unless decision can be put into effect. It consists primarily of the execution of the policy.

According to most stages models of the policy process, one additional stage,

beyond the policy implementation occurs. This last stage in the stages approach is the

Policy Evaluation. Evaluation is the assessment on how the programs achieve its

intended goals. Presumably, any group of decision makers desires to know what has been

the impact of its decisions. Is the policy doing what is supposed to do? Are there negative
 9

consequences of the policy that necessitate a reconsideration of the policy? In general,

though, few governments possess the resources needed to analyze effectively the impact

of policies. Rather than analyzing a policy’s effects, most regimes rely on some form of

“feedback”. Policy evaluation also takes the form of government policy makers

interpreting the reaction of those affected by the policy.

Thus, to measure this study, among these stages, the researcher will focus on the

Policy Implementation process since the focus of this study is on studying the problems

and challenges in the implementation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition

Regulation Act in the Municipality of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.

In the Policy Process, once a problem has been identified, alternatives examined

and a solution selected and legitimated through the adoption of legislation, one part of

policymaking process has been completed but this is also the beginning of another part of

the process - implementing the policy. Policy implementation can be influenced by

organization, interpretation, and application.

The Implementation Process as the focus of the study means, “carrying out the

policy or program operations”. That is, a governmental policy is futile if it will not be

carried out, hence, implemented to achieve its aims or goals.

In addition, Implementation refers to “the early usage activities immediately

following the decision to adopt an innovation and ending when the use of an innovation

becomes routine practice”. Implementation can be conceptualized as a process, output

and outcome and it also involves some actors, organizations and techniques for control. It

is a process of interactions between setting goals and the actions directed towards

achieving them.
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For the process of implementation to occur, there are three necessary elements.

These are 1) The implementing agency must be able to translate its goals into an

operational framework, 2) The entity assigned in the implementing task must deliver on

its assignment and be accountable for its actions and 3) There must be an entity with

sufficient resources assigned to carry out the implementation task.

The Implementation as an important stage in the policymaking process considered

as the very critical phase because any carelessness can result in a disastrous failure .There

may be implementation failure or deficit which is a result of a comparison between what

is observed and what is expected. Policy implementation is critical to the success of any

policy since it constitutes the epicenter of the policy process. It involves the

identification of policy plans, programmes, projects, and activities; precise definition of

the distinct roles of implementation organizations or agencies; details of strategies

and necessary linkages and coordinating mechanisms; as well as resources (human,

financial, material, technology, information acquisition, and utilization).

Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10591

The Republic Act no 10591 also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act was signed into law by the President of the Philippines on May 29,

2013. It was stated that the Chief of the PNP, through the FEO of the PNP, shall issue

licenses to qualified individuals and to cause the registration of firearms. So the licensed

citizen or licensed juridical entity shall register its firearms so purchased with the FEO of

the PNP in accordance with the type of license such licensed citizen or licensed juridical

entity possesses and a certificate of registration of the firearm shall be issued upon

payment of reasonable fees.

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In inspection and Inventory, the Chief of the PNP or his/her authorized

representative shall require the submission of reports, inspect or examine the inventory

and records of a licensed manufacturer, dealer or importer of firearms and ammunition

during reasonable hours. However, if one is unlawfully possessed firearms and

ammunition shall be penalized as follows:

(a) The penalty of prison mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person

who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a small arm;

(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed if three (3)

or more small arms or Class-A light weapons are unlawfully acquired or possessed by

any person;

(c) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any

person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-A light weapon;

(d) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall,

unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-B light weapon.

Analytical Framework

Implementation represents the conscious conversions of policy plans into reality.

The 36 Implementation Process is the most important part of the policy making process.

After implementing the policy, people can evaluate if the policy attains its expected goals

based on what they have observe or the policy that is implemented is a failure. In other

words, the implementation may not be consistent with the expected results of the policy.

The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act aims to maintain

peace and order and protect the people against violence by regulating the ownership,

possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms in both national

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and local levels. The Local Government Unit of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur as mandated in

the Local Government Unit Code of 1991 has to comply with its responsibility to adopt

the national policy. In line with this, the Municipality of Malabang implemented the

Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act with

the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned in the area.

Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram on the implementation of Comprehensive

Firearms and Ammunition Act in Malabang, Lanao Del Sur. It will mainly focus on the

Local Government Unit of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur and also the PNP as they are

mandated by law to formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective

implementation of the comprehensive law regulating ownership, possession, carrying,

manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms, ammunition or parts and providing

stiffer penalties for violations thereof. It also includes the respondents from the selected

barangays of the Municipality.

Hence, in this study, it will show the Level of Awareness of the respondents from

the selected barangays of the Municipality regarding on the Implementing Rules and

Regulations of R.A 10591. In order to measure the level of awareness from the

respondents, the researcher will use Likert scaling.

Moreover, it is important to look out on what are strategies and programs applied

by the PNP and LGU in order to implement the Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act in the said municipality because it will lead us on how active the LGU

and PNP in implementing policy in the municipality.

Many policies have suffered at the stage of implementation and hardly serve their

intended purposes. So, as the policy aims to maintain the peace and order in the locality
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by regulating the ownership, possession, carrying illegal firearms, the researcher will also

identify the problems and challenges faced by the PNP of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur in

eliminating or reducing the problem of loose firearms in the said locality.

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Implementation of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in Malabang, Lanao del Sur

Respondents from the Local Government Unit of PNP of Malabang,

Selected Barangays Malabang, Lanao del Sur Lanao del Sur

Strategies Problems
Awareness of the 1. Barangay Peace 1. Lack of Coordination
Respondents of the Keeping Operations between LGU and PNP
Implementation on 2. Police Patrol System 2. PNP are inactive and
Comprehensive Firearms 3. Checkpoints in the ineffective
and Ammunition Act Municipality 3. Firearms Holders are
5. House to House from well-known
Visitations family
Programs 4. Lack of support from
1. Seminars and Forums the residents
regarding the policy Challenges
2. Orientations per 1. Economic Factors
barangay 2. Cultural Factors
3. Distributing Handouts 3. Geographical Factors
or flyers
4. Campaign against
illegal possession of
firearms

Figure 1: The Schematic Diagram showing the analytical framework.

Legend:

The Implementation of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in the

Municipality of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur which focused on the PNP, LGU and the
respondents of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.

Shows the awareness of the Respondents of the Implementation on Comprehensive Firearms

and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Shows the strategies and programs applied by the PNP and the Local Government Unit in
implementing the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act in Malabang, Lanao Del
Sur.
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Determine the problems and Challenges faced by the PNP in implementing the
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act in Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.
Scope and Limitation 


This study will mainly focus on the problems and challenges faced by the PNP in

Malabang, Lanao Del Sur as well as the Local Government Unit in the implementation of

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.

Geographically, the study will focus on the municipality of Malabang, Lanao Del

Sur particularly the four barangays namely: Barangay Banday , Barangay Camp JAS,

Barangay China Town, and Barangay Tubok. These barangays will be chosen because

they are rural barangays that are frequently operated by the PNP.

Significance of the Study

This study is considered to be significant to the following:

For the Local Residents: This research will provide insights to the local residents on

possible situations in order to address the problem of loose firearms in their locality. By

knowing these strategies, they can try to look for various ways by which they can

cooperate in trying to reduce or eliminate loose firearms in their area.

For Legislatures and Policy Makers: This research can be a good source of information

on how a certain policy implemented in an area with different condition. It can provide

policymakers with new information in order to improve the law and to make it applicable

in various strategies.

For the Readers, Future Researchers, and the Students of Politics: This research may

serve as a reference for related researches, pertaining to Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Acts or R.A 1059. As such, the results of this study may be helpful to the
 16

future researchers and to the students of politics, who may have a paper related or similar

to the subject matter.

For the Discipline: Finally, this research will also add to the existing body of knowledge

particularly when it comes to the study of the dynamics in the implementation of a certain

public policy.

Definition of Terms 


Implementation - refers to how policy is put into action and practice. As used in this

study, it refers to how the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act are put into

action by the Municipal Government of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.

Loose Firearms - refers to an unregistered firearm, an obliterated or altered firearm,

firearm which has been lost or stolen, illegally manufactured firearms, registered firearms

in the possession of an individual other than the licensee and those with revoked licenses

in accordance with the rules and regulations. It also refers to any unregistered firearms of

the civilians of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.

Policy - refers to a rule of action manifesting or clarifying specific organization goals,

objectives, values or ideals and often prescribing the obligatory or most desirable ways

and means for their accomplishment. This means that the Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act as a policy adopted by the Municipality of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur

aims to maintain peace and order.

Public Policy - consists of political decisions for implementing programs to achieve

societal goals. Operationally, it pertains to the RA 10591 as public policy intended for the

public interest that is to achieve the goal of maintaining peace and order.
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Registration - refers to the action or process of registering or of being registered. On this

study, it is all about the application, approval, record-keeping and monitoring of firearms

with the FEO of the PNP in accordance with the type of license issued to any person

under Section 9 of this Act.

Republic Act - is a piece of legislation used to create policy ignorer to carry out the

principles of the constitution. It is crafted and passed by the congress of the Philippines

and approved by the President. It can only be repealed by a similar act of congress. The

Republic Act that is used is the Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act.
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Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents some related foreign and local literatures, which are relevant

to study on the implementation of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.

Foreign Studies

Most countries have introduced some form of firearms legislation in order to

restrict who can possess firearms and the type of firearms that people can own. For the

most part, the main theoretical basis for firearms legislation is that firearms are dangerous

and contribute to increasing the rate of lethal violence in a jurisdiction.

On a study by Christopher Koper et.al, Police typically handle gun crimes

reactively, investigating violent gun crimes and making arrests for illegal possession or

carrying when they encounter violations during routine activities. To varying degrees,

police also use proactive strategies to reduce gun crime. Among others, these include

disrupting the illegal supply of firearms through investigation of illicit gun trafficking,

gun theft, and suspicious activities by retail gun dealers; focusing intensive investigative

and enforcement activities on violent gun offenders and people at high risk for gun

violence (such as gang members and career gun offenders); implementing educational

and preventive activities in conjunction with schools and other community groups (for

example, teaching students about gun safety); and collaborating with other criminal
 19

justice, government, and community organizations on comprehensive initiatives that

combine various enforcement, prosecutorial, and prevention activities.

Developed countries like Great Britain is known for having some of the most

restrictive gun control laws in the world and these restrictive changes to firearm purchase

and ownership had the overwhelming support of the public 3. In their country only police

officers, members of the armed forces, or individuals with written permission from the

Home Secretary may lawfully own a handgun and as a result, there is a very low use of

firearms in crime due to these restrictive laws. For example, in 2008-2009, firearms were

used in just 0.3% of all recorded crimes, and were responsible for the deaths of just 39 of

the 651 murders that year and fatal injuries from firearms were also at the lowest point in

more than 20 years in 2008-2009, with just 39 deaths.

In the case of Canada, their government believes that by restricting access to

firearms, the number of criminal violence involving a firearm will be reduced. As such,

they implemented some form of firearms legislation in order to restrict the possession of

firearms by citizens. In 2015, the Acting Minister of Public Security for Quebec

introduced Bill 64, The Firearms Registration Act, which required that all firearms,

including non-restricted firearms, must be registered. The purpose of this bill was to

allow the authorities to know the location of all firearms in Quebec and to enhance the

enforcement of prohibitions against the unlawful possession of firearms and the

Government of Canada wants that who wish to obtain a firearm must undergo a thorough

background check, a waiting period, and demonstrate a lawful and compelling reason for

needing a firearm before obtaining a permit to purchase or acquire a firearm. Some

researchers have concluded that Canada has 5 taken the approach that an individual’s
 20

freedom is greatest when the community is safe, while other nations, such as the United

States, have placed greater emphasis on an individual’s right to own a firearm over

community well-being 6. For the most part, gun regulation in the United States is a state

matter and each state has a somewhat unique approach to gun ownership and carrying a

gun in public. However, in the most general sense, one does not need a permit, safety

training or education, or a license to own or carry a gun in the United States.

Carrying of firearms is central to the commission of gun crimes in public

locations, which is where many violent and predatory crimes occur 8. Almost all gun

robberies, for example, are likely to involve gun carrying. In the U.S. city of

Philadelphia, 76% of homicides from 1996 through 1999 occurred in a nonresidential

location, and 80% were committed with guns; this implies that many, if not most,

homicides were committed by offenders carrying firearms in public places. Despite legal

restrictions on gun carrying, survey evidence suggests that 30Y55% of serious adult and

juvenile offenders in the United States carry guns regularly for defense and to be

prepared for criminal opportunities.

As the problem continuing to arise in United States, officers implemented

different styles of patrol in the two target areas. In the East target area, officers 10 pursued

a general deterrence strategy in which they sought to maximize traffic stops, thereby

seizing more guns and creating a general sense of enhanced police presence while in the

North area, officers made pedestrian and vehicle stops more selectively, utilizing a

targeted offender approach that focused on particularly suspicious persons and vehicles.

Officers in the North area also paired with probation officers to conduct home visits of

probationers. The gun patrols produced 12 gun seizures in the North/ targeted offender
 21

area and 13 gun seizures in the East/general deterrence area, increasing total gun seizures

by 50% in the East/general deterrence area but by only 8% in the North/ targeted offender

area relative to the same 90-day period of the prior year. During the intervention period,

total gun crime dropped 29% in the North/targeted offender area relative to the same 90-

day period of the prior year and gun assaults and armed robberies (including those with

guns and other weapons) both declined about 40%, and homicides dropped from seven to

one. Accordingly, based on analysis of variance tests, the reductions in gun assaults and

armed robberies were statistically significant relative to the comparison area, where gun

and weapon offenses increased and homicides remained unchanged.

A study that was conducted by Kim Cragin, the people of Colombia has

experienced significant political instability and violence over the past century 13. While

many factors have contributed to this situation - the drug trade, a protracted insurgent

conflict, nationwide corruption --small-arms proliferation remains among the most

serious of the country’s problems. Addressing the issue of small-arms trafficking in

Colombia poses enormous challenges, largely because the movement of these weapons is

difficult to monitor and measure and does not conform to traditional definitions of a

security threat.

Moreover, in North Carolina, the country sheriff is only authorized under N.C.

Gen. Stat. §14-402 to issue a permit to receive or purchase a handgun when an

application is submitted by a person who is a resident of their particular county. The sole

exception is that the sheriff may issue a permit to a non-resident when the purpose of the

permit is for collecting. Prior to issuing a permit, the sheriff must fully satisfy themselves

by affidavits, oral evidence, or otherwise, that the applicant is of good moral character
 22

and for purposes of determining an applicant’s good moral character, the sheriff can only

consider the applicant’s conduct and criminal history for the five-year period prior to the

date of the application. If a crime or condition occurs outside this five-year period, the

sheriff may consider it only if the crime or condition is independently disqualifier for a

pistol purchase permits (I. E., a felony conviction or involuntary commitment).

Additionally, the sheriff must verify by a criminal history background investigation that it

is not a violation of State or federal law for the applicant to purchase, transfer, receive, or

possess a handgun. The sheriff shall determine the criminal history of any applicant by

accessing computerized criminal history records as maintained by the State and Federal

Bureaus of Investigation, by conducting a national criminal history records check, and by

conducting a criminal history check through the Administrative Office of the Courts.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-404.

Local Studies

Increasing globalization and multi-nationalism in politics and economic enterprise

has created a corresponding global playing field for terrorism, corporate fraud and

organized crimes. Because of this, the Philippine government most specifically the law

enforcement sector, has to deal with existing and increasing complex crimes-organized

syndicates and criminals had acquired logistical capabilities in term of firearms and

weapon that are modern and sophisticated; and, recent incidences of crimes show that

most of the bloody and violent of these crimes were committed with the use of firearms.

The misuse of firearm may be detrimental to life, security and safety of the public as it

may be used to exacerbate crimes. Alarming issue is when a light weapon goes in the
 23

hands of a threat group or its member(s) especially in conflict regions in the country.

Incidents relative to the use of such types of weapons occurred.

On the study of Jennifer Santiago Oreta with Ma. Victoria Caranay, Bernadette

Eugenio & Vladimir Reyes, they emphasized that the feeling of insecurity among

civilians juxtaposed with a perception of a weak state motivates people to secure arms for

protection. The paradox is that when a countries and regions with the highest level of

firearm violence and ownership are less able to address them than countries with low

rates of firearm violence and ownership. Lawlessness, criminality, banditry, and

insurgency, and a culture of impunity, coupled with the inability of enforcers to address

these concerns create the impression of chaos and danger in society. A number of

civilians look at guns as provider of security. The irony, however, is that while gun

possession makes people feel secure, its proliferation can also make people feel more

insecure.

There are some cultures in the Philippines where guns are easy to procure since

they are given as gifts to esteemed relatives as gifts for certain services or as part of a

groom’s dowry. In Mindanao most especially in a Moro Area, having a gun is a way of

life. They were brought believing that gun is necessary as part of their wealth, source of

their pride and as tool of survival. They argue that Muslims look at gun possession

because of their experience of “minoritization” and marginalization by the State. More

than just the reality of “rido” in their communities, arms or gun possession is, seemingly,

the way the Moros mediate the perceived discriminatory policies of the majority. Guns

are necessary for the Moros because it makes the government listen to them. Since they
 24

are a minority, they contend that if they do not have guns, the government will not pay

attention to them, and will end up like the American Indians: seen but not heard.

Accordingly, Patalinghug considers that the Community Safekeeping has been

defined as the objective to safeguard the vital core of human lives and properties from

critical ubiquitous threats, in a way that is consistent with long term fulfillment. Because

of this, the Philippine National Police as the frontline of criminal justice system in

enforcement of law were accustomed on protection of life and property of the public.

Similarly the mandate of the PNP is pointed towards peace and order, ensuring public

safety and further strengthening capacity of local government in the effective

administration and delivery of the basic services to the citizenry through the

establishment of a highly efficient and competent police force26. The PNP shall be so

organized to ensure accountability and uprightness in police exercise of discretion as well

as to achieve efficiency and effectiveness of its members and units in the performance of

their functions. This was supported by the study of Agena in which accordingly, the

Philippine National Police is mandated to provide peace and order as they are vested with

the authority to enforce the law and keep the country safe and peaceful. Criminal

apprehension and crime prevention is one of the most important tasks of the PNP

organization and their main objective is to apprehend criminals and prevent crime and

certain place of occurrence.

On the study of Merliza M. Makinano and Alfredo Lubang, it was put into words

that since the practice of illegally possessing firearms is common, people have become

tolerant of and “desensitized” to the problem; the usual response is to acquire arms to be

on an equal footing with an enemy or a rival, or simply for personal purposes. In the case
 25

of the hold-up scene in RCBC Calamba, Laguna Branch, this incident contributed to the

public demands for the gun control policies to strengthen it more. Because of this,

Verzosa stated that the PNP officials of the country have already started to craft some

guidelines on how to effectively institute a total control of firearms in the country. One of

them is their proposal to seek for a stiffer penalty against those who would yield

unlicensed firearms and also, the PNP wants to deny a person with the opportunity to post

bail if he yields more than two loose firearms. Because of the government aims to

significantly reduce criminality, uphold sovereignty, and ensure protection of its people

and create a safer and more secure environment conducive to national development, the

police and other law enforcement agencies intensify their operations against criminality,

armed violence.

Also, “Patrulya Ng Pulis” dated October 26, 2011 was implemented, directing all

PNP units to deploy uniformed personnel assigned to administrative functions to perform

limited beat patrol duties, in addition to their usual tasks, for maximum police presence as

well as to intensify law enforcement operations, anti-criminality campaigns, and public

safety services30. On the article of Jennifer Oreta, it was stated that the Philippine

National Police has, in 2006, confiscated 5,414 firearms and 4540 persons were arrested

for illegal gun possession. Likewise, by August 29, 2008, there were 9,247 applications

for gun amnesty, and 8,992 were approved. In 2009, when another gun amnesty was

launched (July to Nov 30, 2009), the PNP was able to register 225,000 illegal firearms

(PNP-FED).

Furthermore, on the study by Michael Daniel C. Lucagbo et. al, they emphasized

that the Police are making an interventions and crime prevention strategies in order to
 26

maintain peace and order in our country most specially the cases of illegal possession of

firearms. Like for examples are the Police checkpoints where they considered it as a very

are important in maintaining public safety and reducing criminality in the streets.

Checkpoints are those strategies that conduct of at least 2 hours police check of vehicular

and/or pedestrian track by at least 8- man complement in a place normally considered

chokepoint or crime hotspot in order to enforce control measures, laws, ordinances and

other regulations; police stations shall be required to organize a minimum of 3 teams and

conduct simultaneous checkpoints within 8 or 12-hour shift”. Moreover, checkpoints

must not cause inconvenience nor intimidate citizens. Instead, they should provide a real

sense of safety and security. Aside from the Police Checkpoints, there is also Mobile

Patrol where one or more police officers (usually 2 or buddy system) conducting patrol

within designated sector using land based conveyance such as bicycles, motorcycles and

motor vehicles in order to maintain order, prevent crimes and enforce laws and local

ordinances. The number of operations shall be based on the number of mobile patrols per

8 or 12-hour shift. Another intervention also by the PNP is the Oplan Bakal operations

where it is considered as the conduct of spot checks on persons at bar joints and/or areas

considered crime prone or hotspots in order to confiscate loose rearms and deadly

weapons and prevent them from being used in crimes. It further aims to arrest or

neutralize would-be motorcycle riding and walking criminals. This was applied in the

case of Salug Valey, Zamboanga, Del Sur in which the Crime prevention strategies

adopted by the police forces was much effective in reducing the crime rate in the area.

According to the study of Patalinghug, Crime committed in the area would have been

very high if the PNP did not implement these strategies to reduce crime in the four
 27

municipalities of Salug Valley. The crime prevention strategies of the PNP of Salug

Valley are much effective to minimize the crime rate that really helped the community in

its drive for peace and order. In addition, Partnership of the PNP and the community is

the best way to solve criminality.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recognizes the role of Barangay Tanods,

Bantay Bayan, CVOs, Barangay Auxiliaries, NGOs and people’s organizations as Force

Multipliers in the fighting against criminality/insurgency/terrorism. These organizations

are also valuable partners of government in community development. Executive Order

No. 546 authorizes the PNP to deputize the barangay tanods as force multipliers in the

implementation of the peace and order plan subject to the concurrence of the appropriate

Local Chief Executive through the Local Peace and Order Council (LPOC). In addition

also, with EO 773, it is incumbent upon the PNP to enhance its operational procedures on

community safety and security system in order to address criminality, ISO and terrorism

problems by establishing Neighborhood Support Groups (NSG) through BPAT

operatives, peace partners, and friends to achieve peace and order throughout the country.

Community peacekeeping activity through this is believed to be more effective

considering the direct support and participation from the community members,

specifically in monitoring and reporting purposes.

However, enhanced police visibility may not work in all situations or fail to

achieve its objective of addressing criminality. This is where the police must share the

mantle of responsibility for fighting crime with the members of the community.

Community cooperation and support is indispensable. In fact, the basic mission of the

PNP expressly states that peace and order and public safety can be assured only with the
 28

active involvement of the LGU. In a survey, it was revealed that Filipinos primarily look

also to government to address violence and peace problems. At the local level, this means

local government units (LGUs) are playing, or need to play, even-bigger roles in

resolving conflicts and promoting peace. Indeed, LGUs have a high stake in reducing

conflict and violence, and in building peace in their communities and areas. LGUs have

varying degrees of awareness of their special role in peace-building. Whatever their level

of awareness may be, dealing with violence and its effects, as well as promoting peace,

has always been a local government domain and area of responsibility.

On a study conducted by Jennifer Santiago Oreta et. al stated that in every

community there is always a conflict-management mechanism that deals with the

maintenance of peace. In traditional communities, conflict management is handled by

tribe leaders or elders; in others, it is the locally elected Barangay (village) officials.

Many communities rely on the barangay chairpersons and councilors to maintain peace

and order. Like for example is the situation in Cotabato where if there is a conflict

management, especially when big families are involved, respected traditional leaders are

called to intervene and settle conflicts 44. To a large extent, then, the barangay and police

provide the ‘human face’ to the amorphous concept of ‘the state’ among the people in the

community. People’s perception of safety is based on the actions of the barangay.

Therefore, the barangay has great potential in becoming an even more positive force in

community security. This is the context and the reason why there is a need to engage the

local government units. The author also highlighted the idea that LGUs have great

potential to secure its people the way that they have the potential to oppress its

constituents and perpetuate injustice.

 29

However, it is very important to note that in the implementation of these

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act, there are other apparent vulnerabilities.

According to the study of Bernadette Eugenio, critics argue that the problem lies with the

failure to fully implement existing laws, and the assumption that there is no deficiency

with existing rules. The author argues that there is deficiency in the legal measures due to

society’s ambivalence on guns, and the state’s swinging position as regards civilian gun

possession. This argument was supported by the study of Ed Quitoriano in which it was

argued that the challenge of curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms is compounded

by weak enforcement of national legislation. For instance, the Firearms and Explosives

Offices (FEO) is the principal regulatory agency tasks with licensing firearms and storing

firearms captured by police form the hands of civilians, rebels and criminal groups.

However, the PNP’s administrative reach goes no further than its regional field offices

because the police do not have an operating unit or there are no FEO units at the

provincial offices.

Another vulnerability is that while it is true that application is open to private

individuals, not everyone can apply for a license. For civilians, three qualifications apply:

that s/he is (1) a Filipino citizen, (2) at least 21 years of age (except for shooting sport

athletes), and (3) of a good moral character. The third qualification proves to be most

problematic. The qualification “of good moral character” is meant to ensure that the

applicant is responsible and compliant to the mandate of existing laws. Hence, according

to the study of Berandette, individuals must go through neuro- psychiatric tests and drug

tests from government-accredited agencies, and a gun safety seminar conducted by the

PNP or duly accredited gun clubs because these tests are mandatory apart from the
 30

various required documents that need to be submitted, like the employment certificate,

income tax certificate, professional license, business permit, assessed value of land,

among others.

Also, in renewing license, it is also stated on the study of Bernadette that Non-

renewal of expired license is a major concern of FED, given the consistently low turnout

in annual renewal. This may be due to the tedious paper work associated with renewal. It

can also be due to a rule – that is, once there is delay in renewal (e.g. one day), the

firearm is automatically categorized as ‘illegal,’ and hence, the owner faces the legal

consequences of owning an illegal firearm. Renewal of the license is not an automatic

process and will again subject the licensee to another series of paper works and

requirements. Nevertheless, renewal is compulsory; otherwise the licensee must

surrender the firearm.

On the study of Rafael Y. Paragas et.al, it was also highlighted that the peace and

order situation in the Philippines is an important duties and responsibilities of Philippine

National Police for it was mandated by the Philippine Constitution that the state shall

establish one national police, which is civilian in character and national in scope.

However, threats to peace and order continue due to a higher-than-tolerable level of

criminality caused by an ill-equipped and undermanned police force and the lack of

desired holistic and integrated approach to address rising criminality and terrorism. In

particular, the regular upgrading of the skills and knowledge of police personnel for

efficient and effective policing is limited. Likewise, police lack adequate provisions of

basic police equipment such as firearms and ammunition, communications and

investigation equipment, vehicles and police facilities. The inadequate logistical support
 31

given to a police station accounted for much of its limited effectiveness. Police officials

report that only 20 percent of the police stations were constructed in police-owned

property while 80 percent are housed in rundown structures usually without the standard

facilities like computers and fax machines.

 32

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY


This chapter discusses the research design, the locale of the study, the

population of the study, sampling procedures, research instruments and statistical

treatment of data. 


Research Design


This study will be a quantitative-descriptive type of research aimed at

identification of the problems and challenges in the implementation faced by the Local

Government Unit and PNP Malabang in the Implementation of Republic Act 10591

otherwise known as Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in the

Municipality of Malabang, Lanao Del Sur. In identifying and describing the problems

and challenges in the implementation of the policy, the researcher will use survey and

interviews as the data gathering method in obtaining primary data for this research.

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted in the Municipalitty of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

Malabang, officially the Municipality of Malabang, is a 3rd class municipality in the

province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. It is consist of 37 barangays. Among its 37

barangays, only four (4) barangays will be choose namely: 1) Barangay Banday, 2)

Barangay Camp JAS, 3) Barangay China Town and 4) Barangay Tubok.

 33

Malabang is one of thirty-nine municipalities comprising the province of Lanao

del Sur in northern Mindanao. It lies on the south-west part of the province and belongs

to the second district. It has 37 barangays with a total land area of 37,789.28 km2. The

distance from Marawi City to Malabang is 71 kilometers. Malabang is bounded on the

north by the municipality of Calanogas; on the north- west by the municipality of Picong

(Sultan Gumander); on the east by the municipality of Marogong; and on the south by the

municipality of Balabagan. To the west of Malabang is Illana Bay. According to the 2015

census, it has a population of 43,957 people. The town is one of the two former capitals

of the Sultanate of Maguindanao 1515, and later became the capital of one of the states of

the Confederation of Sultanates in Lanao in 1640.

It is under the administrative supervision of the Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao (ARMM) since November 1989, pursuant to R.A. No. 6734 dated June 8,

1989, known as the "Organic Act of ARM M". The municipality is a level plain in its

central to southern portion. A slope in the north is bounded by the Municipality of

Calanogas. There is also a slope in eastern Malabang.

Population of the Study

The population of this study is composed of two groups: respondents and key

informants. They were selected and traced using Systematic Random Sampling and

Purposive Sampling.

The first group will be composed of One Hundred (100) respondents coming from

the selected four barangays of Malabang namely Barangay Banday, Barangay Camp

JAS, Barangay China Town, and Barangay Tubok. They will be selected using Purposive

Sampling.
 34

Key Informants for this study are selected purposively using the following criteria:

their knowledge and also their participation in planning, supervising, coordinating and

controlling the administrative and operational activities related to the implementation of

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in the Municipality. With this,

the researcher will interview the following:

1. Mayor/Executive Secretary of the Municipality Mayor

2. Vice Mayor/Executive Secretary of the Municipality Vice Mayor

3. Municipal Planning and Development Officer (MPDC)

4. Barangay Chairman/Chairwoman of the four barangays (Barangay Camp JAS,

Barangay China Town, Barangay Banda and Barangay Tubok)

5. Local Peace and Order Council

6. Chief of Police of Malabang Police Station

8. Seven (7) Police Officer of Malabang Police Station. (It will determine by their rank)

In total, there will be sixteen (16) key informants for this study.

Sampling Procedure

The researcher will utilize Purposive Sampling, Simple Random Sampling and

Systematic Random Sampling in identifying the population of the study as well as the

barangays to be included in this paper.

In the case of barangays, the researcher used Purposive Random Sampling. In the

three barangays, the criteria in purposively choosing are the following: 1) they are in

rural barangays that are frequently operated by the PNP, 2) the accessibility of the

researcher. As a result, the four barangays included in this study are the Barangay Camp
 35

JAS, Barangay China Town, Barangay Banda and Barangay Tubok of Malabang, Lanao

Del Sur.

Second, the researcher will use Systematic Random Sampling and Quota

Sampling in determining the respondents in the survey. This can be done by selecting the

names of the respondents from the list of the 2019 voters from the COMELEC so that the

researcher can assure that the respondents are residents of Malabang Lanao Del Sur. In

choosing the respondents, it must have a four interval names for every draw until the

desired twenty-five (25) numbers of respondents from every sample barangay is attained.

However, the respondents must be:

1) He/She is a resident of the chosen barangays;

2) He/She is 20 years of age

On the other hand, key informants for this research will be selected using the

Purposive Sampling. The criteria of choosing the key informants are their rank or

positions in the Municipality because their rank or positions shows their level of

awareness and knowledge in implementing the Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act in the Municipality.

Research Instruments 


The researcher will use survey questionnaire in gathering primary data. In doing

this, the researcher will provide a list of recognition type of questions in which the

respondents will just simply check the best answer among the given choices.
 36

On the other hand, interview guide will be utilized in obtaining additional data

from the key informants who can support or refute the findings of the survey. The

researcher will use a face to face and semi-structured interview guide for this study.

Statistical Treatment 


In analyzing the data, the researcher will use the Frequency Count and Percentage

Distribution. To illustrate or to show the findings of the study however, the researcher

will use table to illustrate the result in orderly manner. Hence, Frequency Count and

Percentage Distribution are represented by the formula:

P = f/n x 100%

Where:

P = is the percentage distributions

f = is the frequency
n = is the number of respondents
100 % = is constant
 37

References

www.gov.ph/section/republicact

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabang,_Lanao_del_Sur

Agena, Jose Rommel (2014). Implementation of the Firearms Amnesty Program in the
Municipality of Bauan, Batangas. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary
Research

Aldrige, John (2018). Firearms Laws and Permits. North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association

B. Guy Peters and Jon Pierre (2006). Handbook of Public Policy. London SAGE
Publications.

Bautista Victorina et. Al. (2003). An introduction to Philippine Public Administration.

UP Diliman.

Cochran Charles et. al (1995). Public Policy:Perspectives and Choices. McGraw His Inc.

Cohen,Irwin and Burk Kevin. (2016). A review on Illegal firearms. University of the
Fraser Valley.

Dunn William (1981). Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction. United States of

America: Prentice Hall.

Ed, Quitoriano. (2014). Getting rid of illegal guns. International Alert.

Eugenio, Bernadette (n.d). The Legal Terrain of Firearms’ Ownership. GOP-UNDP

Conflict Prevention and Peace Building (CPPB) Program.

Firearms and Explosives Offices: Human Rights Council resolution 29/10 on Human
rights and the regulation of civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms.
 38

Hill, Michael and Hupe. (2002). Peter Implementing Public Policy.London: SAGE
Publications Inc.

Hughe, Steven and Mijeski, Kenneth. (1984). Public Policy in Latin America. USA:
Westernview Press Inc.

Jasmin Nario-Galace. (n.d.). Gun Violence in the Philippines: A Human Security

Concern. Miriam College
.

Khan, Anisur Rahman and Khandaker, Shahriar. (2016). “A Critical Insight into Policy
Implementation and Implementation Performance” East West University, Dhaka-
1212, Bangladesh.

Koper, Christopher et.al (2006). Police crackdowns on illegal gun carrying: a systematic
review of their impact on gun crime. Journal of Experimental Criminology (2006)
2:227Y261

Larry Gerston (1997). Public Policy: Process and Principles. U.S.A:M.E Shape, Inc.

Leitzel, J. (1998). Evasion and Public Policy: British and US Firearm Regulation. Policy
Studies.

Lucagbo et.al. (n.d.). Incidence of Crimes and Effectiveness of Interventions in the

National Capital Region: Evidence from Panel Data. University of the Philippines
Diliman.

Oreta, Jennifer Santiago. (n.d.). Gun Proliferation and Violence: Complicating Conflict
Dynamics and Peace Building. GOP-UNDPConflict Prevention and Peace
Building (CPPB) Program.

Paragas, Rafael Y. (n.d.). International Review of Humanities and Scientific Research”

Philippine National Police Programs as tools for peace and order in Mandaluyong
City.

Patalinghug, Mark. (2017). Implemented Crime Prevention Strategies of PNP in Salug

Valley, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines: Asia Pacific Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 5 No.3.

Paudel, Narendra Ra.j (2009.) A Critical Account of Policy Implementation Theories:

Status and Reconsideration. Nepalese Journal of Public Policy and Governance,
Vol. xxv, No.2.

PNP. (2009). Barangay Peacekeeping Operations and Barangay Peacekeeping Action

Team.
 39

Signe, Landry. (2017). Policy Implementation – A synthesis of the Study of Policy

Implementation and the Causes of Policy Failure. OCP Policy Center.

Vernick, J.S., Hodge, J.G., & Webster, D.W. (2007). The Ethics of Restrictive Licencing
for Handguns: Comparing the United States and Canadian Approaches to
Handgun Regulation. Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, Winter.
 40

Questions for the Respondents

Survey Questionnaire

Instructions: Kindly put a check (/) on the options which correspond/s to your answer/s.

I. Respondents Profile
Name (Optional): _________________________
Educational Attainment: ___________________
Age: _____

II. Respondents Awareness on the Implementation of Comprehensive Firearms and

Ammunition Act

I am I am not
Undecided
aware aware
1. Are you aware that the Comprehensive Firearms
and Ammunition Act was signed by Former
President Benigno S. Aquino III?
2. Are you aware that the State provides for a
comprehensive law regulating the ownership,
possession, carrying of firearms, ammunition in
order to stop the proliferation of illegal firearms or
weapons?
3. Are you aware that in order to acquire a license
to own and possess a firearm or firearms and
ammunition, the applicant must be a Filipino
citizen, at least twenty-one (21) years old and has
gainful work, occupation or business or has filed
an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the preceding year
as proof of income, profession, business or
occupation?
4. Are you aware that only small arms may be
registered by licensed citizens or licensed juridical
 41

entities for ownership, possession and concealed

carry?
5. Are you aware that the Chief of the PNP,
through the FEO of the PNP, is the one who give
issue licenses to qualified individuals and to cause
the registration of firearms?
6. Are you aware on the Implementation of
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act in
your Municipality?
III. Respondents view on the strategies and programs applied by the PNP and the
LGU the in implementing the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act

7. Do you know who are involved in the implementation process? ____ Yes ____No
If yes, who are they?
_____LGU-Malabang
_____PNP Malabang
_____ Residents within Barangay
_____ Civil Society Organizations
_____ Non-Government Organization
Others, please specify __________

8.Are there any supervision team assigned by the LGU-Malabang to supervise the
implementation of the policy? 
 ____ Yes ____No
If yes, who are they?
—— PNP Malabang
____ Barangay Officials
____ Residents within Barangay
Others, please specify __________

9. Does the LGU and PNP provide programs in order to promote peace and order in your
Municipality? ____ Yes ____ No
If yes, what are these programs?
____ Seminars / Forums regarding the policy
—— Orientations per barangay
____ Distributing Handouts or Flyers
_____Campaign against illegal possession of firearms
Others, please specify ______________

10). Does the LGU and PNP applied a strategies in implementing the policy in the
Municipality? ____ Yes ____No
If yes, what are these strategies?
_____Barangay Peace Keeping Operations
 42

_____ Police Patrol System

_____Checkpoints in the Municipality
_____ House to House Visitations
Others, please specify ____________

11. Are there any sanctions to those who fail to comply with the provisions of the policy?
____ Yes ____ No
If yes, how?
_____ Collecting Fines
_____ Confiscating the unlicensed firearms
_____ Arresting the unlicensed firearms holders
Others, please specify ____________

12) Do you think that the LGU-Malabang and the PNP ensure the implementation of
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act? ____ Yes ____ No

IV. Respondents view on the problems and challenges faced by the PNP in the
implementation of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act?

13) Do you have firearms in your house? ____Yes ____ No

If yes, does your firearms registered with the FEO (Firearms Explosive Office) of the
PNP?
____ Yes ____ No
If no, what are the reasons for the unlicensed firearms?
_____ I do not know how to register my firearms
_____ I am not aware that illegal firearms is against the law
_____ I was not able to renew my firearms
_____ I did not passed on the Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and Obtaining a
License to Own and Possess Firearms.
Others, please specify ____________

14) Did the PNP penalize you for having unlicensed firearms?
___ Yes ___ No
If yes, how did the PNP penalized you?
____ My firearms was confiscated
____ They collected fines (Multa)
____I was arrested for a period from one to six months (Prision Mayor)
 43

Others, please specify _________

If no, what do you think is the reason?
____ Because one of the Police Personnel is my relative/friend
____ Because I am connected to the Barangay Chairman / One of the LGU officials
____ Because I belong to a well-known family in Malabang, Lanao Del Sur
____ Because there is no proper implementation of the policy
Others, please specify ____________

15) Do you think that the PNP Personnel are fair in doing their jobs as an implementer of
the policy? ___ Yes ___ No
If yes, then why?
____ They inspect all houses in our barangay during operations and Police Patrol
____ They are not favoring their relatives who possess unlicensed firearms
Others, please specify __________
If no, then why?
____ They are not inspecting all houses in our barangay during operations and Police
Patrol
____ They are favoring their relatives who possess unlicensed firearms

16. Do you think that the PNP encountered problems in implementing the
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act? ___ Yes ___ No
If yes, what are they?
____ There is no coordination between the PNP and LGU Malabang.
____ The residents within the municipality are not cooperating in order to implement the
policy.
____ Some of the PNP Personnel are inactive and ineffective in doing their jobs.
____ The LGU Malabang is favoring the residents who possess unlicensed firearms.
____The unlicensed firearm holders are from the well-known family or clan in the
Municipality.
Others, please specify ___________

17) Do you think that the PNP encountered challenges in implementing the
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in your Municipality?
____ Yes ____ No
If yes, what are they?
____ Economic Factors
____Cultural Factors
____Geographical Factors
Others, please specify ____________
 44

God Bless and Thank You

Questions for the Respondents
Interview Guide Questions

Name:___________________________________
Sex:_____

Position:______________________

Highest Educational Attainment: _______________________________

1. How well aware are you in the implementation of the policy?

2. Did you and your fellow implementers inform the public before adopting and
implementing the policy?
3. How important do you think is the awareness of the residents of Malabang in the
implementation of the policy?
4. Is there any monitoring team/personnel who supervise the Implementation of
Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act? If there is, who are they and
what are their duties?
5. Is there any strategies used by the PNP and LGU in order to implement the policy in
your municipality?
6. What are the programs of the PNP and LGU in implementing the Comprehensive
Firearms and Ammunition Act?
7. Are there any problems encountered in the implementation? If there is any, what are
these problems? 8. As an implementer of the policy, what do you think is the common
challenges that you faced in order to implement the policy?
 45

God Bless and Thank You