DILG: Surrender, renew expired licenses of firearms

MANILA, Philippines — Over 2,000 local government units (LGUs) have expired firearms under their use that were ordered to be surrendered or renewed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

A memo signed by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said that a total of 2,247 LGUs nationwide, including barangays, had firearms with expired registration.

Abalos said that LGUs should adhere to laws and deposit their firearms to police authorities in a bid to mitigate the proliferation of loose firearms in the country.

Under memorandum circular 2024-012, LGUs are required to ensure immediate renewal of their firearms registration and deposit these guns for safekeeping pending renewal.

It also directed the Philippine National Police to assist and facilitate the compliance of affected LGUs.

The memo covers all provincial, city, municipal and barangay governments in the country, which were also ordered to maintain an inventory of their firearms and ammunition.

Registration of firearms should be renewed every four years otherwise could be subject to an automatic revocation in favor of the government.

The memo was signed Jan. 24 but was only released recently and took effect immediately upon its publication.