Warrantless search mulled as solution

Among the measures the government is considering to address the rise in campus violence is asking the Supreme Court to allow the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct warrantless inspections, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Saturday.

“We should have the power to inspect without a warrant all gun owners and how they handle their guns, how they store their guns,” Remulla said in a press briefing.

“We are crafting it now. I’m going to work with the DoJ to craft it,” he added.

The proposal came a day after a 16-year-old student allegedly opened fire at Banga National High School, killing two students before fatally turning the gun on himself. Eight others were wounded, Remulla said.

Authorities said the firearm in the incident belonged to the student’s father, a Department of Education employee, and was legally owned. Police and local officials are investigating how the student was able to access the weapon.

Remulla said the Banga incident raised the same concern as in previous school shootings involving minors who gained access to firearms owned by adults.

He said firearm ownership in the Philippines is a privilege that carries responsibility and accountability.

“The right to own a firearm is not enshrined in the Constitution. It is not a right but a privilege. And that privilege has to come with responsibility. And that responsibility has to come with accountability,” Remulla said.

Gun owners’ liability

Remulla also called for stronger laws holding firearm owners accountable when their failure to secure their weapons allows another person to use it in a crime.

“The rightful gun owner is responsible for the use or possession of a gun one hundred percent of the time. Whether he lends it to someone, it is taken from him, or he loses it, it is his responsibility,” he said.

He proposed that negligent firearm owners face liabilities corresponding to the offense committed with their weapon.

“Legislation has to be put in place so that the parent or owner of the gun is equally liable as the child. If murder is committed, then the father should also be charged with murder,” Remulla said.

Remulla noted that existing laws may provide limited liability in such circumstances, including possible charges of reckless imprudence.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos have filed House Bill 11387, or the proposed Responsible Firearm Ownership and Safe Storage Act.

The measure seeks to amend RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, by imposing stricter firearm storage requirements, mandatory gun safety training, tougher penalties for unauthorized access, and a new offense covering criminally negligent firearm access.

Metal detectors for schools

Remulla said the DILG and the Department of Education will discuss the purchase of metal detectors for schools.

“That’s between DepEd and me to discuss in the upcoming budget, purchasing metal detectors for all schools,” he said.

The proposal followed Remulla’s disclosure that police officers were stationed outside Banga National High School when the shooting occurred and that the student’s bag had been inspected.

He said routinely frisking students would be “very unusual and intrusive,” while metal detectors could provide another layer of security at school entrances.