Alawmaker has called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen its efforts in regulating gun ownership, starting with the imposition of more rigid screening procedures in issuing licenses to possess and carry firearms.
Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte said a traffic enforcer, who was shot dead in cold blood by an apparently drunk motorcycle rider in Tanza, Cavite, is just one case which shows why the PNP should revisit its regulations and procedures in issuing gun ownership licenses, Duterte said.
He said one aspect that the PNP should look into in issuing a License to Own and Possess a Firearm (LTOPF) is the requirement to pass a neuro-psychiatric examination, which in several instances, can be reportedly bought by applicants for a fee.
Duterte said he has received reports of gun stores telling potential buyers that they can bypass and need not take the neuro-psychiatric clearance and even the drug test requirement in obtaining an LTOPF, which is a prerequisite to be able to purchase a firearm.
“The PNP cannot afford to be lenient in imposing these requirements if it wants to ensure that it issues licenses only to responsible and mentally stable gun owners,” Duterte said.
A statement from the Imus City Police station said the traffic enforcer, William Mentes Quiambao, reportedly apprehended the suspect, Joseph T. Llagas, which led to a heated argument between them.
Llagas, who was reportedly drunk, shot Quiambao three times at the back of his head and fled accompanied by his accomplice identified as one Aries Carlos. Quiambao was declared dead on arrival when he was brought to the hospital.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the PNP to strengthen its efforts on gun control. The PNP should not wait for a similar incident to happen again before it acts to institute reforms in the issuance of gun ownership licenses,” Duterte added.
Duterte said this latest incident involving a helpless victim of gun violence and the rape-slay of a young female architect in Davao City have prompted him to renew his call for Congress to pass a law reinstating the death penalty for heinous crimes.
Last year, Duterte, along with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap, filed House Bill (HB) 501, which aims to reinstate the death penalty for certain heinous crimes, including murder with attendant circumstances, and rape with homicide.
In their bill’s explanatory note, Duterte and his fellow authors said: “While it can be argued that one’s death will never be commensurate to his/her crimes, the fear of death as punishment serves as deterrence, hindering potential criminals to commit such [heinous] crime[s].”
“Now, more than ever, is the time to restore the death penalty in the country because we must not be too complacent with these criminals at the expense of the safety of the whole nation,” they said.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11766 last year to encourage the up-to-date registration and documentation of firearms. The law extends the validity of the license to carry and register guns, but includes a provision that failure to renew one’s license will be cause for its revocation and the confiscation or forfeiture of the firearm.
Image credits: PNP/Facebook
