By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a tougher nationwide campaign against illegal firearms and irresponsible gun ownership, with PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordering all police units to intensify enforcement of gun laws following a series of deadly incidents involving firearms that claimed innocent lives, including children.
The directive seeks to curb the proliferation of loose firearms, strengthen monitoring of licensed gun owners, and prevent legally owned weapons from being accessed or misused by unauthorized individuals, particularly minors.
“I have directed all police units to intensify the enforcement of responsible firearm ownership laws, strengthen inspections of licensed firearm holders when authorized, and sustain operations against loose and illegal firearms,” Nartatez said Thursday.
Beyond intensified law enforcement, the country’s top police official ordered stronger coordination with local government units (LGUs), schools, and community stakeholders to ensure firearms are kept out of the hands of children and teenagers.
The PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) has likewise been directed to tighten its monitoring of compliance with licensing, storage, and other requirements under Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which governs civilian firearm ownership in the country.
Nartatez stressed that possessing a firearm is a privilege that carries serious legal and moral responsibilities.
“Owning a firearm is a privilege that comes with great responsibility.”
He reminded licensed gun owners that every firearm must be securely stored and safeguarded at all times to prevent unauthorized access.
“Every licensed firearm owner must ensure that firearms are securely stored and never accessible to children. One act of negligence can lead to irreversible consequences,” he warned.
The intensified enforcement follows the June 22 school shooting in Tacloban City, where authorities said two teenage suspects allegedly used firearms owned by relatives, resulting in the deaths of three students and injuries to 20 others.
Police also cited another alarming incident on Aug. 3 in General Santos City, where a nine-year-old child was accidentally shot after a .38-caliber revolver reportedly discharged while the child and a playmate were handling the weapon inside a residence.
The back-to-back incidents have heightened public concern over firearm safety and the accountability of licensed gun owners whose weapons end up in the hands of unauthorized users.
Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla urged Congress to amend existing firearm laws by imposing stricter criminal liability on licensed gun owners whose firearms are used by others in the commission of crimes or are left accessible through negligence.
The PNP said the strengthened enforcement campaign forms part of its broader strategy to reduce gun-related violence, dismantle the circulation of loose firearms, promote responsible gun ownership, and restore public confidence that the law will be enforced equally against both illegal gun traffickers and negligent licensed firearm owners.
ia/xf
