Manila:A resolution has been filed in the House of Representatives calling for a nationwide review of the government's systems for the custody, safekeeping, and accountability of firearms. Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, along with Akbayan Party-list Reps. Percival Cenda±a and Dadah Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, submitted House Resolution 1468 on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the resolution urges an impartial audit and inspection of all firearms issued to or possessed by public officials and employees. This comes in response to three school shootings in recent months involving firearms linked to government personnel in Tacloban City, Zamboanga City, and Banga, South Cotabato.

In the incidents, firearms were used by a police staff sergeant and a Bureau of Customs employee in Tacloban and Zamboanga, respectively. In Banga, a firearm privately owned by a Department of Education employee was involved.

Rep. Diokno emphasized the urgency of government action to prevent such incidents, stressing that it is insufficient to merely document firearm assignments. Proper care and security must be ensured to prevent unauthorized access, particularly by minors, who were involved in the school shootings.

The resolution tasks the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) with conducting a comprehensive safety audit and establishing a uniform framework for verifying records, physical possession, authorization, and safekeeping of firearms. Based on audit findings, the resolution calls for a review of existing regulations and adoption of appropriate measures against firearms that are lost, missing, improperly secured, or held in violation of laws.

Audit results, including discrepancies and corrective measures, are to be submitted to the House. Diokno stated that accountability must include how firearms are stored and secured to prevent tragedies.