Legal basis and related issuances
- Section 3(z), Article I of Republic Act No. 10591 provides the legal basis for permitting the transport of firearms and ammunition through a written authority.
- Section 3.55, Rule 1 of the IRR of R.A. No. 10591 and Section 44 of the IRR of R.A. No. 10591 govern relevant permit/transport concepts and implementation mechanics under the firearms regulatory framework.
- Section 35(a)(6) of Republic Act No. 6975 (DILG Act of 1991) is cited as statutory authority connected to NAPOLCOM functions over police policy matters.
- NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2016-247 is cited for the activation of the Regional Civil Security Unit and the delegated authority set-up previously referenced in the circular.
- Presidential Directive No. 2017-0189 governs regulating the selling of firearm bullets and is expressly linked to restrictions on certain ammunition types under the PTTFA regime.
- D, LS Memorandum dated April 24, 2017 is cited for policy/administrative linkage to licensing/permit processes.
- The circular cites a PRRDas Directive on streamlining licenses and permits processes in all government offices.
- The circular cites an Approved Revision of Fees Committee Resolution dated September 14, 2014.
Policy purpose and permit concept
- The circular establishes guidelines for the application, processing, approval, and issuance of Permit To Transport Firearms, firearms parts, accessories and ammunition (PTTFA).
- The circular limits and supervises transport as a vital activity in the firearms industry to ensure public safety and effective monitoring and recording of regulated items.
- The circular treats the PTTFA as a separate and distinct permit from a Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).
- The circular recognizes that transport under PTTFA is limited and confined to pre-determined routes (point of origin and destination) and fixed dates.
- The circular mandates regulatory control to address loss, misuse, and evasion risks during transport, including malpractice involving unmarked/private vehicles used by certain security entities.
Defined terms and core validity concepts
- A Permit to Transport firearm is a written authority issued by the Chief, PNP or a Regional Director that entitles the licensed citizen or entity to transport a particular firearm from and to a specific location within the duration and purpose stated in the authority.
- A Permit to Carry Firearm Outside of Residence is a written authority issued by the Chief, PNP to a licensed citizen to carry a registered or lawfully issued firearm outside residence for the duration and purpose stated in the authority.
- Residence means the place or places of abode of the licensed citizen indicated in the license.
- Point of Origin means the exact address/location where the firearms, firearms parts, accessories, and ammunition will emanate.
- Point of Destination means the exact address/location where the firearms, firearms parts, accessories, and ammunition will be transported/brought to/delivered.
- Fixed Date means the inclusive date or duration of transport, and the period is not subject to extension.
- Fixed route/time disclosures must guide monitoring and ensure accurate maximum allowable duration reflected in the PTTFA.
- PTTFA is valid only within the duration and conditions written in the permit and must comply with format and integrity requirements listed in the circular.
Coverage: who must get PTTFA
- PTTFA guidelines apply to AFP, PNP, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for their personal firearms.
- PTTFA guidelines apply to manufacturers and dealers for transportation covered by their regulated operations.
- PTTFA guidelines apply to private security agencies, company security units, private detective agencies, and accredited armored vehicle security providers.
- PTTFA guidelines apply to individuals who opt to surrender/deposit their firearm to the PNP.
- PTTFA is required for any person arriving from abroad who is a Filipino citizen, a diplomat/foreign dignitary and/or his/their security agent/s, a foreign sports shooter, or a member of Visiting Forces under existing VFA policy, subject to R.A. No. 10591 and its revised IRR procedures and requirements.
- PTTFA validity and restrictions apply to transport that follows pre-determined routes (point of origin and destination) and fixed dates, including the prohibition against route changes/diversion described in the circular.
Application, processing, approval, and release rules
- AFP, PNP, LEAs (personal firearms) must submit requirements in a white folder.
- Manufacturers and Dealers must submit requirements in a green folder.
- Private security agencies, company security units, private detective agencies, and accredited armored vehicle security providers must submit requirements in a blue folder.
- Individuals who surrender/deposit firearms must submit requirements in a brown folder.
- The briefer reviews and evaluates the application folder; if requirements are complete, authentic, and valid, the briefer issues a commitment slip with a release date not exceeding three working days, reckoned the day after the application is filed and accepted.
- If requirements are incomplete/invalid, the briefer issues a request for compliance, indicates it in the action slip, and provides a copy to the applicant at the applicant’s expense.
- The approved PTTFA is claimed on the release date indicated in the commitment slip; if the applicant/authorized representative cannot claim personally, another person may claim only upon presenting proof of identification, otherwise the PTTFA is not released.
- If the applicant/authorized representative fails to claim the PTTFA on the release date for whatever ground/reason, a new application for a new PTTFA is required.
- Applications for ten or more firearms by manufacturers/dealers and by private security/detective/armored vehicle entities must also be submitted in soft copy contained in either a CD/DVD/USB device, and the device contents must undergo mandatory verification and validation prior to acceptance and issuance of the commitment slip.
PTTFA validity rules and transport restrictions
- As a general rule, a PTTFA is valid for a minimum of 72 hours or three calendar days and a maximum of fifteen calendar days, subject to the circular’s provisions.
- Applicants/authorized representatives must disclose the places/location traversed and the estimated time/duration of travel from point of origin to destination.
- The travel/transport route must be detailed and specific enough to guide/aid the PROs/RCSUs in allocating the maximum allowable duration reflected/indicated in the PTTFA.
- No sudden changes of destination are allowed.
- No route diversion is allowed.
- A PTTFA is not valid if it contains erasures or alterations.
- A PTTFA is not valid without a dry seal and stamp of the issuing Office/Unit.
- A PTTFA is not valid without a stamped date of validity.
- No amendment/extension of validity is allowed.
- No recycling/re-use of Special Bank Receipt (SBR)/Proof of Payment is allowed.
- If a PTTFA is already issued/released and the regulated items are not used during its validity period for whatever ground or reason, the applicant must apply for a new one.
- All transported firearms, firearms parts, accessories, and ammunition must be properly wrapped and labeled with the name and address of the licensee.
- The regulated items must be secured in two separate cases/boxes and kept in two separate places (trunk compartment and glove compartment); if the firearm is to be test fired, it should be unloaded.
- If the transport involves ten or more small arms or at least one light weapon, it must be escorted by at least two Security Guards with a valid License to Exercise Security Profession (LESP) and must have a Special Duty Detail Order (SDDO) for the purpose.
- Transport/movement of ammunition of calibers 5.56 and 7.62 for local shooting competition must be escorted by PNP personnel from Inspection & Enforcement Section, Education and Enforcement Management Division (I&E Section, EEMD)/RCSU.
- PTTFA for firearms intended for international shooting competition may be issued only by FEO.
- If the international transport involves ten or more small arms, or at least five small arm rifles, the escort in and out of the country must be by at least one PNP personnel from FEO.
- PTTFA is not valid for ammunition such as caliber 5.56 and 7.62, pursuant to Presidential Directive No. 2017-0189 (subject: Regulating the Selling of Firearms Bullets dated April 3, 2017), except for acquisition and/or use of AFP, PNP, and other LEAs.
- The PTTFA is non-transferrable, valid for one way-trip only, and remains subject to existing firearms laws, rules, and regulations.
- PTTFA for juridical entities, particularly private security agencies, applies for instances including posting, routine rotation, firearms replace, and firearms repair.
Responsible offices and approval allocation
- TDC is responsible for the issuance of the Fiscal Directive for payment of PTTFA through the Regional Finance Service Office (RFSO) and performs other tasks as directed.
- ROs PROs 1-13, ARMM & COR:
- approve/disapprove PTTFA;
- direct PPOs/CPOs/CPS/MPS in their respective AOR to monitor the movement/transport;
- ensure that if movement/transport transcends one region to another, the PTTFA is issued by the RD where the regulated items originated; and
- perform other tasks as directed.
- RCSU:
- accepts, evaluates, processes, and approves all PTTFA applications within the same Region;
- accepts, evaluates, processes, and endorses all PTTFA applications intended from one Region to another;
- issues an Order of Payment to PTTFA applicants; and
- performs other tasks as directed.
- RFSO:
- accepts all PTTFA payments, issues the corresponding Official Receipt (OR), and reports using appropriate account numbers/code as part of the Trust Receipts Funds under government accounting and auditing rules and regulations;
- performs other tasks as directed.
- RSAO:
- receives, accounts, and records all firearms surrendered or deposited for safekeeping;
- issues a turn-in slip/acknowledgement receipt to the surrenderee/depositor; and
- performs other tasks as directed.
- Approval/disapproval for regional movement:
- PTTFA applications for transport within the same Region are approved/disapproved by the Chief, RCSU.
- PTTFA applications for transport from one Region to another are processed and endorsed by the Chief, RCSU and approved/disapproved by the RD, PRO of the PRO where the items originated, without passing through Regional Staff and the Command Group; the DRDO of the PRO of origin is subsequently notified by the concerned RCSU.
- PTTFA applications in the National Capital Region are processed and endorsed by the Chief, Education and Enforcement Management Division and approved/disapproved by the Chief, FEO.
- Airport/seaport endorsements:
- Applications for PTTFA for sports shooter firearms transported from airport/seaports must be endorsed by the Host Gun Club/Association to the Chief, Education and Enforcement Management Division for approval/disapproval by the Chief, FEO.
- Applications for PTTFA for diplomats/foreign dignitaries or their security force transported from airport/seaports must be endorsed by the Foreign Liaison Division, Directorate for Intelligence to the Chief, Education and Enforcement Management Division for approval/disapproval by the Chief, FEO.
Documentary requirements and stated payment
- AFP, PNP, LEAs (personal firearms) must submit:
- a Letter Request including pre-determined routes (point of origin and destination) and fixed dates;
- Certificate of License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF);
- Certificate of Firearms Registration or Firearms License; and
- a Special Bank Receipt or Official Receipt issued by RFSO in the amount of PhP200.00.
- Juridical entities (manufacturer, dealer) must submit:
- a Letter Request including pre-determined routes and fixed dates;
- a License to Deal/ License to Manufacture;
- a Board Resolution for Authorized Representative;
- Valid ID of Authorized Representative; and
- a Special Bank Receipt or Official Receipt issued by RFSO in the amount of PhP200.00.
- Juridical entities (private security agencies, company security units, private detective agencies, and accredited armored vehicle security providers) must submit:
- a Letter Request including pre-determined routes and fixed dates;
- License to Operate from SOSIA/Accreditation for Armored Vehicle from SOSIA;
- a copy of Certificate of Long Regular Registration (LRR);
- a Board Resolution for Authorized Applicant;
- Valid ID of Authorized Applicant;
- a copy of Certificate of Juridical LTOPF under the name of the Agency; and
- a Special Bank Receipt or Official Receipt issued by RFSO in the amount of PhP200.00.
- Individuals surrendering/depositing firearms must submit:
- a Letter Request including pre-determined routes and fixed dates;
- Certificate of License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) as applicable/as appropriate;
- Certificate of Firearms Registration or Firearms License as applicable/as appropriate; and
- a Special Bank Receipt or Official Receipt issued by RFSO in the amount of PhP200.00.
- A person arriving in the Philippines as a sports shooter must secure a PTTFA to the PNP-FEO and submit:
- a Letter Request addressed to CPNP (Attn: C. FEO);
- a Photocopy of the Passport;
- Firearm license/Registration issued by the country of origin; and
- an Invitation from the Host Gun Club/Association.
- A person arriving in the Philippines as a diplomat/foreign dignitary or security force of the diplomats/ambassador with licensed firearms must secure a PTTFA to the PNP-FEO and submit:
- a Letter Endorsement from Department of Foreign Affairs;
- an endorsement from Foreign Liaison Division, Directorate for Intelligence (FLD, DI); and
- a List of Personnel, Firearms and Ammunition.
Penalties and administrative consequences
- The circular subjects any violation of its provisions to administrative sanction.
- Violations also subject the applicant/authorized representative and/or the owner or proprietor/Chairman of the Board/President to suspension/cancellation or revocation of the License/Accreditation of the juridical entity.
- Administrative sanctions are imposed subject to due process requirements.
- The penalty clause expressly preserves the filing of appropriate criminal action without prejudice to administrative action.