Senator Robin Padilla thanked Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla after the DILG chief called for a review of laws governing loose firearms and urged Congress to restore stricter penalties for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Padilla expressed his gratitude to Remulla for acknowledging what he referred to as the “Robin Padilla Law,” which is informally associated with Republic Act No. 8294, a 1997 law that amended provisions on illegal possession, manufacture, sale, acquisition, and disposition of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

“Maraming salamat po sa aking itinuturing na kaibigan SILG Jonvic Remulla sa pag-confirm sa mga hindi nakakaalam na meron po talaga na ‘Robin Padilla Law,’” Padilla said.

His statement came after Remulla, during a press briefing on Wednesday, called on Congress to review existing laws on loose firearms following the shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday, August 18.

Remulla said loose firearms are allegedly involved in 98% of gun-related crimes in the country, underscoring the need for lawmakers to strengthen regulations on illegal firearms.

“I called upon Congress to review the laws on loose firearms. We went through the numbers. Ninety-eight percent of gun crimes are committed with loose firearms,” Remulla said.

The DILG chief said illegal possession of firearms is currently bailable and urged Congress to consider making the offense non-bailable again as part of efforts to curb the proliferation of loose firearms and gun-related crimes.

Remulla also called on lawmakers to introduce measures that would strengthen accountability among firearm owners and help prevent legally owned weapons from being used in crimes.

The DILG secretary's call followed the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a Grade 10 student and the Grade 8 student allegedly identified as the shooter died. One other student was reportedly injured.

Padilla, meanwhile, welcomed Remulla's acknowledgment of the law associated with his name and said it was important for the public to understand its history and implications.

It should be noted, however, that RA 8294 is no longer the primary firearms law in the Philippines. Several of its provisions were subsequently repealed by Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.