PNP: Active cops, soldiers exempted from drug, psych tests for gun permits

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has exempted active cops and soldiers from drug tests as well as psychological and psychiatric exams as requirements for gun licenses.

PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Eudisan Gultiano told reporters on Thursday that PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil issued a memorandum on the matter.

“Meron pong nilabas na memorandum signed by our Chief PNP kung saan po in-exempt na ang requirement na drug tests at psychological and psychiatric evaluations sa members ng PNP and [Armed Forces of the Philippines] na active,” she said.

(There was a memorandum signed by our Chief PNP exempting the requirement of drug tests and psychological and psychiatric evaluations for members of the PNP and AFP who are active.)

In a memorandum dated July 16, Marbil pointed out that active military and police personnel are already trained as responsible firearm holders.

Drug tests and psychological and psychiatric evaluations done during their service will suffice as requirements for gun permits.

“All active military and police personnel are no longer required to undergo DT and PPE since they are already trained as responsible firearm holders,” Marbil said.

“The DT and PPE conducted during their service will suffice as LTOPF requirements,” he added.

Due to this, Marbil said active PNP and AFP members are only required to submit their IDs from the police and military organizations.

Gultiano said drug tests as well as psychological and psychiatric exams are regularly conducted in the PNP.

As of the latest record, Gultiano said the PNP has 11,000 expired license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) while the AFP has 14,000. For firearms registration, the PNP has 25,000 while the AFP has 29,000.

“We want also na i-promote talaga ang convenience na rin sa ating mga active personnel na mapabilis ang kanilang renewal at application ng kanilang LTOPF at firearm registration,” she said.

(We also want to really promote the convenience of our active personnel and speed up their renewal and application of their LTOPF and firearm registration.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News