Preamble
WHEREAS, there has been an upsurge of crimes vitally affecting public older and safety due to the proliferation of illegally possessed and manufactured firearms, ammunition and explosives; WHEREAS, these criminal acts have resulted in loss of human lives, damage to property and destruction of valuable resources of the country; WHEREAS, there are various laws and presidential decrees which penalized illegal possession and manufacture of firearms, ammunition and explosives; WHEREAS, there is a need to consolidate, codify and integrate said laws and presidential decrees to harmonize their provisions; WHEREAS, there are some provisions in said laws and presidential decrees which must be updated and revised in order to more effectively deter violators of the law on firearms, ammunition and explosives; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree: