Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1866)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1866 is to codify the laws on illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition, or disposition of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and instruments used in their manufacture, and to impose stiffer penalties for certain violations.
The penalty ranges from imprisonment at its maximum period of 'reclusion temporal' up to 'reclusion perpetua'.
The penalty of death shall be imposed if homicide or murder is committed with the use of an unlicensed firearm.
The penalty of death shall be imposed if the violation is in furtherance of, or connected with, rebellion, insurrection, or subversion.
The owner, president, manager, director, or any possible officer of such public or private firm, company, corporation or entity who willfully or knowingly allows the use of such firearms may be penalized with imprisonment from 'reclusion temporal' in its maximum period to 'reclusion perpetua'.
Possession by any person not lawfully engaged in the manufacture of firearms or ammunition is prima facie evidence that the article is intended for illegal manufacture.
Imprisonment from 'reclusion temporal' in its maximum period to 'reclusion perpetua' is imposed for unlawful manufacture, dealing, acquisition, disposition, or possession of explosives like hand grenades and incendiary devices.
The penalty of death applies if such crimes result in the death of any person or persons and were committed using the specified explosives or incendiary devices.
Any person who unlawfully tampers, changes, defaces, or erases the serial number of any firearm shall be penalized with prision mayor.
The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed upon any person, civilian or military, who issues such authority without proper authority.