In the wake of a fatal school shooting in South Cotabato, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is partnering with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to petition the Supreme Court for legal authority permitting police officers to inspect firearm storage inside the private residences of licensed gun owners.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the initiative, noting that current jurisprudence prevents law enforcement from conducting unannounced home inspections to ensure firearms are properly secured.
“The Supreme Court ruled na hindi kami pwedeng mag-inspection sa loob ng bahay. I will make a petition sa Supreme Court to make it legal for the PNP to inspect the homes of legal firearms users to make sure that they are kept properly,” he said.
Remulla stressed that three recent campus shootings stemmed from common systemic issues, negligence in firearm storage and a lack of responsible gun ownership, which allowed unauthorized individuals, including minors, access to lethal weapons.
“There has to be a right for the state to inspect the gun owners premises kung tama ang storage nila ng baril,” he added.
Although existing regulations require gun holders to utilize secure lockboxes and follow explicit storage guidelines, the Philippine National Police (PNP) lacks the legal mandate to enter private residences to verify compliance.
Emphasizing the legal distinction surrounding firearm ownership in the country, the DILG chief pointed out that gun ownership remains a conditional privilege rather than an unrestricted right.
“Remember, owning a firearm in the Philippines is not enshrined in the constitution. It is not a right but a privilege. And that privilege has to come with responsibility, and that responsibility has to come with accountability, especially with the PNP,” the DILG Chief stated.
“We should have the power to inspect without a warrant on all gun owners and how they store their guns,” he continued.
The planned legal filing forms part of a broader directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructing the Department of Education (DepEd), the DILG and the PNP to overhaul school safety measures and determine how students obtained weapons used in recent violence.
Moving forward, Remulla confirmed that inter-agency discussions are underway to revise campus access protocols, strengthen early warning detection systems and establish stricter safeguards against minor access to firearms.
“The President has asked me to report on Monday to give the guidelines again. And then we will craft with the DepEd another set of rules kung paano natin ma a-avoid ito,” Remulla shared.