President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is receptive to imposing stricter penalties for illegal firearm possession following recent violent shooting incidents on school grounds, Malacañang announced Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed support for Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s proposal urging lawmakers to set a 20-year prison sentence and remove bail eligibility for individuals caught with unregistered firearms.
“Ito ay naging magandang suggestion ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Ito naman din po ay para sa mas protektadong bansa at mas protektadong mga kababayan natin,” Castro stated during a press briefing.
Castro noted that while the Chief Executive will not impede measures aimed at bolstering national security, he will first carefully review the specific wording of any prospective legislative changes.
“So, kung ano po talaga ang maaring maging magandang batas, para ito po ay mas mabigyan ng malaking parusa, ang Pangulo po ay open,” she explained.
“But we have to wait for the versions of the bills so that the President could make his stance on such issue. So, ngayon wala pa po,” Castro added, emphasizing that the President will establish a final position once Congress passes a formal measure.
Addressing firearm safety, Castro stressed that responsible ownership could prevent tragic lapses:
“Sa totoo lang kung ang tao naman ay maingat talaga na humawak ng kanyang mga baril, hindi maaaring magkaroon ng negligence nasasapit sa ganitong mga klaseng pagkatataon o sitwasyon.”
“Muli, kung anuman ang ikagaganda ng ating bansa at sa interes ng ating mga kababayan, hindi po iyan hahadlangan ng ating Pangulo,” she concluded.