POLICE chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday said there “is no factual basis” to fears that the revitalized “Oplan Katok” campaign of the PNP against loose firearms can be used as a scare tactic by scheming politicians to influence the results of the May midterm elections.
“There is no factual basis to claim that this program is meant to instill fear. We have been implementing ‘Revitalized Katok’ for years – long before the election season. There is no agenda, no political basis, and no intimidation involved. Our reminders are purely legal and procedural, targeting only those with expired firearms licenses. Nothing more, nothing less,” Marbil said in a statement.
He said statements saying the program may be used to the advantage of some candidates and incumbents seeking re-election to scare voters are “unfounded and speculative.”
Marbil stressed that the campaign’s goal is “simple” – “to keep our communities safe by preventing loose firearms from being used in crimes.”
He said that since the implementation of the program, it has effectively reduced the number of unregistered firearms in circulation, decreasing the potential for gun-related violence.
He also said the initiative is currently being implemented in support of the gun ban of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in relation to the election period.
“In the long run, Revitalized Katok strengthens our efforts to keep elections safe, as it prevents unrenewed firearms from being used for illegal activities. We are only upholding the law. Those who claim otherwise rely on speculation, not evidence,” he added.
PNP spokesman Jean Fajardo said there are around 1.2 million to 1.3 million firearms that have expired registrations as of January 16. She said the PNP has revoked some 400,000 of the expired registrations.
Fajardo also said a number of the firearms that have been confiscated in checkpoint operations have been found to have expired registrations.
She reiterated the campaign seeks to remind gun owners with expired registrations to renew their permits.
“That is really the intention of this Revitalized Katok, to notify them officially that their LTOPF (license to own and possess firearms) and firearms registrations have already expired,” she said.
Under the law, gun owners are required to renew their LTOPFs and firearms registration every five or 10 years, depending on their chosen option. Failure to comply can result in the revocation of their privilege to own guns and possible confiscation by the PNP.
Oplan Katok is a key component of the firearms regulations law, where the police deliver formal notices and conduct house visits to remind gun owners to renew their licenses or deposit them to the police for safekeeping until such time that they have renewed their registrations.
