Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has urged Congress to review Republic Act No. 8294, informally referred to as the “Robin Padilla law,” and consider restoring non-bailable penalties for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Remulla said loose firearms are allegedly involved in 98% of gun-related crimes in the country, making it necessary for lawmakers to strengthen existing firearms regulations.
The DILG chief said the current law allows illegal possession of firearms to be bailable, which he claimed has contributed to the proliferation of loose firearms and criminal activity.
“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,” he noted.
The interior secretary called on lawmakers to make illegal possession of firearms a non-bailable offense again and introduce measures that would help prevent gun-related crimes.
Remulla also raised concerns about the accountability of firearm owners, particularly when legally owned guns are not properly secured and are later used in crimes.
He cited two recent school shooting incidents in which the firearms used were reportedly government-issued weapons belonging to qualified personnel. He said the incidents highlighted the need to hold gun owners accountable when their weapons are improperly secured.
“The penalty of using legal guns if a child took the gun from the parent or guardian, the penalty is reckless imprudence only,” Remulla said. “Isn't the owner of the gun equally responsible?”
He also urged Congress to impose penalties on dismissed Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police personnel who continue to possess or use their former uniforms to impersonate law enforcement officers.
Remulla said recent crimes have allegedly involved dismissed AFP and PNP personnel using their former uniforms and identifying themselves as police officers.
“That should be a crime as well,” he said.
In connection with Tuesday’s, August 18, school shooting in Zamboanga, initial reports identified Lt. Lars Jalani II, head of the Bureau of Customs Enforcement and Security Service in Zamboanga, as the father of the student suspect and the registered owner of the firearm allegedly used in the incident.
Remulla later confirmed that the student suspect died by s*icide following the shooting, clarifying earlier reports about the circumstances of the student’s death.
