‘Bitin ang batas’: Remulla calls Congress to strengthen rules on gun ownership

Ramil Miralles

Following the reported incident of school shooting in Tacloban City and an alleged plot in Tolosa town in Leyte, Interior and Local Government Sec. Jonvic Remulla pressed lawmakers to enforce stricter gun ownership liability laws during a press conference on June 25.

The demand was prompted after the recent school shooting incident in Tacloban City on June 22, which sparked widespread public outcry over gun ownership laws after leaving three students dead and 20 others wounded.

The guns used by the perpetrators were registered to a police and a Cebu City-based security agency.

Remulla pointed out loopholes in existing gun ownership laws, noting that ongoing investigations might wrap up without filing any criminal charges against the owners of the firearms used in the incidents. 

“Walang concomitant responsibility ang gun owner kung gagamitin ng iba para pumatay ng tao,” Remulla cites infirmity in gun ownership laws.

Under the Republic Act 10591 otherwise known as “the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act,” if the firearm of a licensed owner is stolen or borrowed and used in a crime, the owner might only face administrative penalties including revocation of license, but not direct criminal charges of co-conspirator.

During the briefing, Remulla pressed for tighter regulations, recommending Congress to rewrite the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of gun ownership to hold owners responsible for the illegal use or transfer of their guns.

Remulla aired his frustrations over the current statutory limits. “Sa nangyayaring ito, wala kaming ma-charge dahil bitin ang batas. Kailangan may liability ang mga taong ito,” he said.

In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to pursue criminal cases against the registered owners of the firearms used in the Tacloban shooting. 

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued a warning to gun owners regarding their accountability, as latest investigations revealed that one of the weapons used belonged to a policewoman from the Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas, who had since been placed under restrictive custody.

Meanwhile, PNP Spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co announced on Wednesday that law enforcement is actively working with school authorities to restrict school entry points, deploy increased high-visibility patrols, and conduct active shooter simulation drills to foster emergency preparedness. 

“Palalakasin po natin ‘yung coordination mechanism between law enforcement, the barangays, as well as the schools po natin,” Co told media on June 24.