Philippines Congress likely to take up gun control measure soon

Manila: Congress will most likely tackle gun ownership reforms when it convenes next year, key leaders of the Lower Chamber said, citing the rash of incidents involving firearms, in the Philippines and abroad.

“I am for a policy of strict gun control,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr said in reaction to results of a survey indicating that three out of every four Filipinos or 75 per cent, support a policy of strict firearms ownership laws or “gun control.”

According to Belmonte, tighter gun control measures would most likely be among the many issues to be taken up when the 16th Congress convenes in July.

Amidst this backdrop, Rep. Marcelino Teodoro of the first congressional district of Marikina City, underscored the need for comprehensive, sustainable and stricter regulations on all types of firearms in the country.

Teodoro is one of the authors of House Bill 5484 or the Comprehensive Regulation of Firearms, Light Weapons and Ammunition gun measure. The lawmaker said the proliferation of firearms in the country makes it easier for criminals to perform acts of violence.

The bill aims to repeal Presidential Decree 1866 codifying the laws on illegal possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition, of firearms, ammunition or explosives or instrument used in the manufacture of firearms, ammunition or explosives.

“A gun control law must be upheld and fully enforced upon by the concerned agencies and supported by the government to eradicate criminal acts,” Teodoro said.

Owning and acquiring a firearm in the Philippines legally is easy as long as the applicant can put up the money for the purchase and is of the proper age. Anyone can purchase any weapon of any calibre, including those used by law enforcement agencies such as assault rifles.

According to Teodoro, the Aquino administration should be keen and serious on gun control to truly ensure peace and order in the country.

Based on a survey by polling organisation, Pulse Asia, the position of Belmonte and Teodoro (House Bill 5484) was supported by a sizeable majority of Filipinos or 67 per cent who believe that guns and their proliferation were among the key reasons why crime and violence occur in the country today.

Based on a multistage probability sample of 1,800 representative adults, 18 years old and above, Pulse Asia’s survey conducted from March 16 to 20, 2013 using face-to-face interviews, revealed that this sentiment was echoed by most Filipinos across geographic areas, with figures ranging from 57 per cent in Mindanao to 80 per cent in Metro Manila.

Moreover, a policy of gun control in the country is supported by most or 75 per cent of Filipinos.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III said he is not in favour of proposals to totally ban individual ownership of firearms as he said that further restrictions would not reduce gun-related violence in the country.

“It sounds nice, total gun ban, but the total does not happen because the outlaw will not surrender guns. So we will not stop in our pursuit of these people who are outside of the law and get them before the bars of justice,” Aquino said.

The suggestions came in the wake of high profile crimes involving the use of firearms. During the New Year, raucous celebrations using guns fired in the air, killed several people, including children.