ABSTRACT
This study investigated the factors contributing to the loss or theft of an unrenewed firearm involving an active member of the Philippine Army in Daet, Camarines Norte. Specifically, it examined operational, procedural, and environmental factors; assessed personnel compliance with firearm management protocols in terms of safekeeping, renewal requirements, and reporting procedures; identified challenges in the unit’s security and accountability systems; and proposed preventive measures to strengthen firearm management. The study employed a descriptive quantitative research design and utilized a structured questionnaire administered to 189 purposively selected Philippine Army personnel directly or indirectly involved in firearm handling and management. Data were analyzed using documentary analysis, weighted mean, frequency counts, and percentage distributions. Findings revealed that environmental factors were the most significant contributors to firearm loss, followed by operational and procedural factors. Personnel generally demonstrated high compliance with firearm management protocols, particularly in reporting procedures and safekeeping, although some weaknesses remained in storage practices and renewal processes. Major challenges identified included lack of regular audits, inadequate supervision, outdated monitoring systems, and insufficient training. The study concluded that firearm loss was influenced more by systemic and organizational vulnerabilities than isolated errors. It recommends stricter enforcement of protocols, improved documentation and monitoring systems, regular inspections, refresher training, and secure storage measures to prevent similar incidents.
Keywords: Firearm Loss Firearm Theft, Firearm Management, Protocol Compliance, Security Accountability, Preventive Measures, Philippine Army
INTRODUCTION
The responsible management and accountability of firearms among uniformed personnel are essential to ensuring public safety, operational readiness, and institutional integrity. Strict firearm protocols on safekeeping, renewal, and monitoring are designed to prevent misuse, diversion, and loss; however, incidents of missing or stolen government-issued firearms continue to expose weaknesses in accountability systems. International evidence shows that firearm losses remain a serious concern. In the United States, thousands of military firearms were reported lost or stolen and some were later linked to violent civilian crimes, reflecting failures in storage, surveillance, and recordkeeping (Hall, 2021). Similarly, South Africa continues to face widespread losses of state-owned firearms due to poor inventory control, negligence, and corruption, which have contributed to the illegal gun market and firearm-related violence (Isabels, 2024). Reports on Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) also show that firearm losses remain persistent, particularly among dealers and pawnbrokers, further highlighting the need for stronger monitoring systems (FFL, 2023).
In the Philippines, firearm accountability remains a critical issue, especially within the military and police sectors. Cases involving the alleged diversion of military firearms to criminal and extremist groups have raised concerns over command responsibility and internal controls (Gonzales, 2025). In Camarines Norte, the recovery of large arms caches by the Philippine Army further demonstrates the continuing security risks associated with unaccounted firearms (Nepomuceno, 2025). Moreover, the loss of government-issued firearms carries serious administrative and legal consequences, particularly when negligence, weak reporting, or procedural lapses are involved (Respicio, 2025). In this context, the present study investigates the loss or theft of an unrenewed firearm involving an active member of the Philippine Army in Daet, Camarines Norte, with the aim of identifying contributing factors, assessing compliance, and proposing measures to strengthen firearm management and accountability.
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