The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on the Congress to review existing gun laws and impose greater accountability on gun owners following a growing proliferation of loose firearms cases that have contributed to recent school shootings.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s statement comes in response to the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), that followed just two months after a school shooting in Tacloban City.
In both cases, a government-issued, licensed firearm had been accessed and used by students, considered children in conflict with the law (CICLs).
At a press conference at Camp Crame, Remulla said 98 percent of firearm crimes are a direct result of loose firearms.
“All gun owners, whether private or public, should have punitive damages when somebody else uses his or her gun. Dapat may accessory penalty siya,” Remulla said.
“Kailangan natin ng whole-of-nation approach, kailangan magtulungan ang PNP (Philippine National Police), Congress, at mga gun owners. Nanawagan tayo sa Congress na baguhin na at i-repeal na ang batas at gawing non-bailable offense ang krimen ng loose firearms,” he added.
Remulla said that, according to PNP reports regarding the Zamboanga school shooting, 25 security guards are on round-the-clock shifts—15 on duty during the day, and 10 at night.
He said that the school and security guards are not at fault, although the security system currently being implemented needs to undergo review.
“I am filled with compassion for everyone, not only for the parents of the students shot but also for Ateneo. Walang kasalanan ang school at ang security guards; ang sistema ng security ang kailangang i-review,” the Interior chief stated.
He said that under the current, long-standing security protocols, the guards check the bags of students entering the school on foot. Students in vehicles, however, are able to bypass these inspections.
Clarifying misinformation surrounding the tragic incident, Remulla said the CICL at AdZU was a 9th-grade top 1 student who does not have a record of bullying.
The suspect was a Roblox player. He filmed the crime, which took all of three minutes, live on social media.
The incident claimed the life of a Grade 10 student and left two others injured. Several more students experienced panic attacks, anxiety, and minor injuries during the incident.
Moreover, the suspect turned the gun on himself and died after the incident.
“Once again, it involves students. Once again, it involves firearms. Once again, we are confronted with the question of what more we can do as a country,” Remulla said.
PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez reported that police recovered two short firearms from the crime scene: a Glock 22 caliber 40 registered under the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and a Glock 9mm pistol containing magazines.
Other items found were one Roni conversion kit, empty bullets, one mobile phone, and one black headgear.
