FEB.

15, 2015

NR # 3743

Additional integrated ballistics identification system

machines for PNP Crime Lab pushed
A lawmaker has recommended the purchase of additional Integrated Ballistics Identification
System (IBIS) machines for the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Service (PNP-CLS) to
strengthen the capability of the police force in solving incidents of stray bullet shooting and other gunrelated crimes.
Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian (1st District, Valenzuela City) also sought an upgrade of PNPs
ballistic database and firearms tracking technology to ensure improved efficiency in solving gun-related
offenses.
In House Resolution 1791, Gatchalian expressed concern that most gun-related cases have not
been resolved because the PNP-CLS lacks enough IBIS machines for forensic identification of ballistic
information of firearms.
The PNP-Crime Laboratory Service only has two IBIS machines, making it virtually impossible
for the PNP to make a database of the roughly 1.7 million registered guns in the Philippines, Gatchalian
said.
Citing data from the PNP, Gatchalian said 2,437 firearms were used to perpetrate a total of 2,338
criminal incidents from January to March 2013, with almost 99 percent of the involved firearms
unlicensed.
As for cases of indiscriminate firing by private gun owners and uniformed personnel, PNP
recorded 62 incidents during the holiday revelry starting on December 16, 2014, Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said police authorities have made 17 arrests for the 62 stray bullet incidents, which
resulted in injuries to 44 people and the death of an 11-year old girl in Abra on December 31, 2014.
According to Gatchalian, the House Committee on Public and Order and Safety should look into
the current state of the ballistics database with the end in view of strengthening the capabilities of the
police force in identifying the perpetrators of stray bullet shootings and other gun-related crimes.
Procurement of additional IBIS machines and an upgrade of PNPs ballistic database and
firearms tracking technology, along with certain organizational improvements in the PNP-CLS, would
help along current and previous investigations, resulting in improved efficiency in solving gun-related
crimes, Gatchalian said.
The procurement of said machines, upgrading of the database and firearms tracking technology,
and the hiring of additional personnel to properly implement these operational requirements necessitate
an increase in budget appropriations, Gatchalian added.
Gatchalian pushed for his proposal saying the quick and efficient resolution of criminal cases is
essential to the fair and honest administration of criminal justice for victim and accused alike. (30) mrs