Following a fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that resulted in the deaths of two students, including the gunman, Senator Raffy Tulfo called on Friday for stricter regulations regarding how firearms are stored.
Tulfo raised concerns after the Bureau of Customs verified that one of the weapons used belonged to the shooter’s father, an active Customs police officer.
Upon learning of the incident, the senator sent a formal request to Education Secretary Sonny Angara seeking a complete report on the tragedy, while promising his office would assist the victims’ families.
Tulfo stressed that the tragedy underlines the necessity for strict storage guidelines and mandatory pre-licensing inspections by the Philippine National Police before issuing a License to Own and Possess Firearms.
“We need to revisit existing laws on gun ownership. Before the PNP issues an LTOPF, they should first inspect whether the licensed owner has a secure place to store the firearm,” Tulfo said. “It should not be easily accessible to just anyone, including the licensed owner’s children.”
He also advocated for severe penalties and imprisonment for gun owners whose weapons end up being used in unlawful acts.
“If you are the licensed owner and your firearm is used improperly, you should be charged and imprisoned,” he said.
Beyond gun safety reforms, Tulfo highlighted his recently introduced Senate Bill No. 2371, which aims to revise the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
The legislation would require the Department of Social Welfare and Development to set up regional rehabilitation facilities nationwide, including secured spaces specifically for minors aged 12 to 15 implicated in serious offenses.
Tulfo also recommended measures to limit youth screen time and social media exposure, alongside better training for educators and parents to recognize warning signs of youth aggression through Parent-Teacher Associations.
Referencing a recent Senate hearing where he noted nine incidents of campus violence between June and August 2026, the senator reiterated his call for public school security guards to be equipped with handheld metal detectors.