Manila: Senator Raffy Tulfo is pushing for a mandatory police inspection of firearm storage facilities before granting gun licenses, following a deadly shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The shooting involved firearms that were accessible to a minor, prompting Tulfo's proposal.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo emphasized the need for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to verify that applicants for a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) have secure storage facilities that prevent access by children or unauthorized individuals. "We need to revisit existing laws on gun ownership," Tulfo stated in a news release. He added that inspections should ensure firearms are not easily accessible, even to the licensed owner's children.
Currently, Republic Act 10591 mandates holders of individual firearm licenses to have secure storage, but inspections are required only for licenses covering possession of ten or more firearms. Tulfo is advocating for stricter penalties, including imprisonment, for owners whose firearms are unlawfully accessed and used by others.
The proposal follows the August 18 attack at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, where a Grade 8 student shot a Grade 10 student and then himself, injuring two others. The attack was broadcast live via a body-worn camera. The Bureau of Customs confirmed that one firearm used was a government-issued Glock 22 .40-caliber pistol assigned to the shooter's father.
Both Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Education Secretary Sonny Angara have called for tougher penalties for firearm owners whose weapons are accessed by minors. Angara also stressed the importance of engaging with students and their communities to prevent violence, beyond just implementing physical security measures.
Tulfo has requested a detailed report from the Department of Education on the Zamboanga incident and reiterated the need for enhanced school security, including metal detectors for school guards. Additionally, Tulfo introduced Senate Bill No. 2371 to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, proposing Regional Rehabilitation Centers for Youth under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The bill outlines the establishment of intensive juvenile intervention centers for children involved in serious offenses and mandates the creation of regional rehabilitation centers. Tulfo emphasized the importance of programs that enable parents and teachers to recognize signs of violent behavior in students, alongside government scrutiny of children's access to social media and online games.
