Jonvic Remulla Urges Congress to Tighten Firearms Law, Revisit ‘Robin Padilla Law’ After School Shooting

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is urging Congress to revisit the country’s firearms laws, including what has been popularly called the “Robin Padilla Law,” and impose tougher penalties on gun owners who fail to properly secure their weapons following the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Jonvic Remulla and DIL Logo

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has called on Congress to review and strengthen the country’s firearms laws following the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a student reportedly obtained a gun from a close relative.

Remulla said gun owners should face stronger penalties when they fail to properly secure their firearms and those weapons are later used to hurt or kill someone.

In a press briefing, the Interior secretary said a licensed gun owner whose firearm is accessed by a child and used to cause harm may be held responsible under the principle of reckless imprudence.

“Isn’t the owner of the gun equally responsible?” Remulla asked as he urged lawmakers to revisit existing laws on illegal and unsecured firearms.

He also argued that the government needs to take a tougher approach to what are commonly called loose firearms—guns that are illegally possessed, improperly secured, or otherwise outside lawful control.

According to Remulla, about 98 percent of gun-related crimes are committed using loose firearms. He said this should be a warning that stronger measures are needed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to guns.

Remulla also criticized the effects of Republic Act No. 8294, which reduced the penalties for certain cases of illegal firearm possession and made the offense bailable. The law was later amended in several respects by Republic Act No. 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

READ OTHER ARTICLES:

RA 8294 became popularly known as the “Robin Padilla Law” because actor and former senator Robin Padilla benefited from its provisions in connection with his firearms conviction.

Remulla said Congress should consider making illegal possession of firearms non-bailable again and strengthen the law to make gun-related crimes more preventable.

For ordinary Filipinos, his argument is simple: a gun may be legally registered to one person, but if it is not safely stored and another person gets hold of it, the consequences can be deadly.

The secretary also proposed stricter rules for former members of the police and military who have been dismissed from service. He said they should be prohibited from keeping firearms and official-looking uniforms that could later be misused by criminals.

According to Remulla, some crimes have been committed by individuals wearing police or military uniforms and falsely presenting themselves as law enforcement personnel. He said tighter restrictions could help prevent such incidents.

Despite the concerns surrounding gun violence, Remulla noted that the Philippines has an estimated 2.78 million firearms and that violence involving legally owned guns is not widespread.

Still, he said even a small number of tragedies can have devastating consequences, particularly when firearms reach children or other people who are not supposed to have access to them.

The recent school shooting, he said, is another reason for Congress to examine whether existing firearm regulations are strong enough to prevent legally owned guns from falling into the wrong hands.

Remulla’s appeal now puts the issue before lawmakers: whether the country’s firearms laws should impose greater responsibility on gun owners and adopt tougher penalties to prevent unauthorized access, illegal possession, and the misuse of firearms.