THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is pushing for tougher gun laws and stricter accountability for firearm owners following the deadly shooting at a school in Zamboanga City.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla called on Congress to review existing laws on firearms, particularly the penalties for loose firearms, saying stronger measures are needed to prevent guns from ending up in the hands of minors.
Remulla made the call Wednesday following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a Grade 9 student allegedly used a government-issued licensed firearm in the attack.
According to Remulla, it was the second incident in two months in which a licensed government firearm ended up in the hands of a minor.
He said around 98% of crimes involving firearms are committed using loose guns, stressing the need to hold firearm owners accountable when their weapons are used by other people.
“All gun owners, whether private or public, should have punitive damages when somebody else uses his or her gun,” Remulla said.
He also urged Congress to consider making illegal possession of loose firearms a non-bailable offense, noting that the offense remains bailable under Republic Act No. 11766.
“Kailangan natin ng whole-of-nation approach. Kailangan magtulungan ang PNP, Congress, at mga gun owners,” Remulla said.
Meanwhile, Remulla said the school’s security system should also be reviewed, but stressed that Ateneo de Zamboanga and its security guards should not be blamed for the incident.
The school reportedly had 25 security guards assigned to round-the-clock shifts, with 15 on duty during the day and 10 at night. Guards checked the bags of students entering on foot, while students arriving in vehicles were not subjected to the same inspection.
Remulla also disputed some information circulating about the suspect, saying the student was a Grade 9 top-ranking student and had no reported history of bullying or shooting training.
The attack lasted about three minutes and left a Grade 10 student dead and two others injured. Several students also suffered panic attacks, anxiety and minor injuries. The suspect later shot himself and died.
PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said responding officers recovered two handguns at the scene—a Glock .40-caliber pistol registered to the Bureau of Customs and a Glock 9mm pistol with inserted magazines.
Police also recovered a Roni conversion kit, empty ammunition, a mobile phone and a black headgear.
The PNP said 50 school-related incidents involving minors were recorded from June 16 to August 18. These included 26 bomb threats, 12 shooting threats, four stabbing incidents, four cases of illegal firearm possession, two shootings and two death threats.
Remulla said the incidents highlight the need for stronger gun-safety measures and greater responsibility among firearm owners.
“Once again, it involves students. Once again, it involves firearms. Once again, we are confronted with the question of what more we can do as a country,” he said.
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