Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros  has dared Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas to use his political will in implementation of the law to counter proliferation of loose firearms in the entire country.
Meanwhile, Malacañang is still on a wait and see mode on the clamor for stricter gun control or even a total gun ban in the country following string of high-profiled shooting incidents that resulted in the killing of 10 people, including innocent children.
Oliveros said the reason why there are so many loose firearms in the country is government’s lack of political will to thwart their proliferation.
The bishop believes that loose guns will flourish even more as the election nears.
He made an appeal to Roxas to arrest and charge in court politician who have a hired killers and private armies that cause trouble every time an election is held.
“ We are not a country that implements the law. There are still many loose firearms. It should serve as a challenge to authorities, particularly, Roxas especially this coming election. Hired goons of politicians and private armies are still there. So the need for a strong political will for government to go after all these loose firearms is needed. Control the use of guns. Control the issuance of licenses,” Oliveros said in a radio interview.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, during a press briefing, noted several pending legislative proposals and said that Malacañang is presently collating all of them.
Lacierda, however, hinted that the Aquino administration is in support of the moves for gun control.
“The different legislative proposals are all there already. They have been filed. They are varied so some of them would advocate — at least not the legislative proposals — my understanding is that there are some who advocate gun ban to gun control. So let’s wait and see what all these proposals will be,” said Lacierda.
“We are collating all the proposals from gun ban to gun control. We certainly believe in gun control but it’s too early to say what form the proposals will take,” added Lacierda.
Meantime, Lacierda stressed that the government is now trying to ensure that present firearms law are strictly being implemented by security authorities, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“What we’re trying to do is make sure that the present gun laws are implemented or enforced strictly. So that’s what we’re doing right now…the directive of the President is to make sure that we go through and we make sure that we monitor and regulate the firearms that are out there,” said Lacierda.
Data from the PNP showed that more than 600,000 loose firearms are proliferating in the country presently on top of the more than one million registered guns.
A senatorial candidate of the ruling Liberal Party yesterday urged Malacañang to take a definitive stand on the proposed stricter gun control in the country.
Former Sen. Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr. has not only joined those calling for a total gun ban but also egged erstwhile colleagues in both Houses of Congress to immediately act on pending bills seeking to impose harsher punishment against irresponsible and unlicensed gun owners.
“The government should immediately take a bold move and put an end to senseless killings. It is time to enforce a permanent ban on guns,” said the former lawmaker, who has been active in promoting a gunless society since 1997.           With Angie M. Rosales and Mario J. Mallari