𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐄: 𝐏𝐍𝐏 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓

 𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐄: 𝐏𝐍𝐏 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓

Citizens may now own high-powered weapons

Senator Imee Marcos feared a rise in criminality, terrorism, arms smuggling, and widespread violence in the 2025 elections after the Philippine National Police (PNP) eased civilian ownership of high-powered firearms.

Little known to the public, the PNP recently changed implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, allowing the issuance of civilian licenses for M-14 rifles and other semi-automatic weapons with a caliber of 7.62mm and below.

"The PNP is shooting itself in the foot and compromising law enforcement efficiency and, above all, public safety," Marcos pointed out.

"Do we want a proliferation of shooting violence like in the U.S.? Who is lobbying for firearms manufacture and imports?" she asked.

The senator added that the PNP's recent changes to the IRR of the firearms and ammunition law will complicate the government's task of decommissioning rebel firearms.

The "glacial pace" of accomplishing the task led Marcos to call for an ongoing investigation through Senate Resolution 321 filed in November last year.

"When killings occur, penalties for firearm misuse will offer nothing but cold comfort to the families of victims - policemen, soldiers, and civilians included," the senator said.

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*Cebu Online News Press Corps