Philippines Interior Secretary seeks stricter gun laws

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has called on the Philippine Congress to amend existing firearms legislation, specifically targeting the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, colloquially known as the ‘Robin Padilla Law’. Remulla argues that current laws have led to a surge in crime because the possession of loose firearms has become a bailable offense.

The push for stricter regulations follows a fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a Grade 8 student used a government-issued firearm belonging to his father, an employee of the Bureau of Customs. The incident resulted in the death of a Grade 10 student and injuries to others.

Remulla is advocating for several legislative changes, including making the illegal possession of firearms a non-bailable offense once again. He also proposed that negligent owners should be held criminally liable when their registered weapons are used in crimes. Additionally, he suggested laws to prevent dismissed members of the police and military from owning firearms or wearing uniforms, noting that such individuals have been involved in recent criminal activities.