Pulong asks PNP for ‘stricter’ gun ownership policies
A LAWMAKER has called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen its efforts in regulating gun ownership, starting with imposing more rigid screening procedures in issuing licenses to possess and carry firearms.
A traffic enforcer who was shot dead in cold blood by an apparently drunk motorcycle rider in Tanza, Cavite, is just one case that shows why the PNP should revisit its regulations and procedures in issuing gun ownership licenses, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte said.
He said one aspect that the PNP should look into in issuing a License to Own and Possess a Firearm (LTOPF) is the requirement to pass a neuropsychiatric examination, which in several instances, can be bought by applicants for a fee.
The lawmaker said he has received reports of gun stores telling potential buyers that they can bypass and need not take the neuropsychiatric clearance and even the drug test requirement in obtaining an LTOPF, which is a prerequisite to be able to purchase a firearm.
“The PNP cannot afford to be lenient in imposing these requirements if it wants to ensure that it issues licenses only to responsible and mentally stable gun owners,” he said.
A statement from the Imus City Police Station said the Tanza traffic enforcer reportedly apprehended the suspect, which led to a heated argument between them.
The suspect, who was reportedly “drunk,” shot the victim three times at the back of his head and fled accompanied by his accomplice. The traffic enforcer was declared dead on arrival when he was brought to the hospital.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the PNP to strengthen its efforts on gun control. The PNP should not wait for a similar incident to happen again before it acts to institute reforms in the issuance of gun ownership licenses,” the congressman added.
He said this latest incident involving a helpless victim of gun violence and the rape-slay of a young female architect in Davao City have prompted him to renew his call for Congress to pass a law reinstating the death penalty for heinous crimes.
Last year, Duterte, along with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap, filed House Bill (HB) 501, which aims to reinstate the death penalty for certain heinous crimes, including murder with attendant circumstances and rape with homicide.
In their bill’s explanatory note, Duterte and his fellow authors said: “While it can be argued that one’s death will never be commensurate to his/her crimes, the fear of death as punishment serves as deterrence, hindering potential criminals to commit such [heinous] crime[s].
“Now, more than ever, is the time to restore the death penalty in the country because we must not be too complacent with these criminals at the expense of the safety of the whole nation,” they said.
