Following a tragic school shooting in Zamboanga City, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla is calling on lawmakers to significantly toughen penalties for illegal gun possession.
Remulla proposed amending current firearms legislation to categorize the illegal possession of loose firearms as a non-bailable offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Under existing laws, individuals caught with unlicensed weapons can easily post bail while their cases remain pending.
“Now, when you catch someone with loose firearms, it’s bailable. Lalabas ka lang (You just walk out). You have a record, but bailable, then you go to a hearing,” Remulla told reporters, adding that stiffer penalties would help solve a broad spectrum of gun-related crimes.
He indicated that congressional leaders are already expediting proposed legislative amendments to strengthen the country’s firearms framework, projecting that the measures could be finalized as early as January.
Beyond targeting illegal weapons, Remulla emphasized that licensed gun holders must face greater accountability for keeping their firearms secure. Pointing out that gun ownership is a privilege rather than a right, he proposed granting the government authority to inspect licensed gun owners’ residences at any time to verify proper storage.
The push for stricter measures comes after a minor in Zamboanga City gained access to legally owned firearms left inside a vehicle and brought them onto a school campus. Remulla stressed the urgency of enforcing strict safekeeping protocols across the board, particularly among uniformed personnel entrusted with government-issued weapons.