PNP Offers Technical Aid for Stricter Gun Regulation Bill Post-Tacloban Shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) offered technical aid in the passage of a House of Representatives bill seeking tighter regulations for firearms in the wake of the fatal Tacloban City school shooting. “We in the PNP fully trust the wisdom of lawmakers on the proposed measure pushing for liability of gun owners who are residing with minors and failed to secure their weapons,” the agency’s chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said in a statement on Friday. “The PNP remains prepared to provide technical recommendations should lawmakers seek the organization’s assistance in refining the proposed measure,” he added. READ: DILG chief prods Congress on gun owner liability after Tacloban shooting The bill being referred to, House Bill No. 10058, was filed in the lower chamber of Congress last Tuesday. According to the PNP, the proposed measure will require firearms owners to keep their guns in tamper-resistant safes. This came after the suspects in the Tacloban City school shooting, two minors, gained access to their relatives’ firearms, which they then allegedly used in the incident, killing three students and injuring 20 more. “Gun ownership is a privilege that comes with a big responsibility that also includes ensuring that firearms are kept safe and well-secured,” Nartatez stressed. “This privilege should not be given to people who are not capable of meeting gun ownership conditions,” he added. /mr