Question & AnswerQ&A (FED PNP CIRCULAR NO. 10)
A Manufacturer is any person (including individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, or associations) engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms, ammunition, and other related items for purposes of sale or distribution.
All Licenses to Manufacture, whether new or renewal, are valid for five (5) years from issuance date and renewal applications must be filed ninety (90) days before expiration, subject to validity of business registration.
The applicant must submit a basic letter addressed to the Chief, PNP, location plan, name of the manager, certification or affidavit proving paid-up capital of P500,000, application form, detailed location plan, vault plan, business registration, articles of incorporation and by-laws (if corporation), and clearances including NBI and police clearances.
The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government has been delegated this authority by the President of the Philippines, as provided in the Circular.
High Powered Firearms are firearms with bore bigger than cal .38 for pistols and revolvers including calibers such as .357, .40, .44, .45, .50, and .22 Centerfire Magnum; and rifles/shotguns with bore bigger than .22 and heavier than 12 gauge respectively.
Licensed manufacturers are not allowed to use, dispose, or sell firearm parts, reloading machines, or components other than for the intended purposes indicated in the approved Import Authority.
Sanctions include suspension or cancellation of a manufacturer's license, depending on the gravity of the offense, including other violations like failure to maintain required facilities, failure to submit monthly sales reports on time, and submission of spurious documents.
Manufacturers must render monthly reports to the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED), Civil Security Group (CSG), detailing production reports of firearms, firearm parts, ammunition components used, sales made, and inventory of products and raw materials on stock.
Licensed manufacturers may import parts and components limited to what is authorized in their approved License to Operate and such imports shall be inspected upon arrival escorted by FED-CSG representatives, and transferred directly to the manufacturing plant.
Exports require approval from the Chief, PNP, must be accompanied by a Letter of Intent and End-User Certificate, must not adversely affect Philippine foreign relations, and manufactured firearms must be inspected prior to packaging. Restrictions apply especially to defense/military items.