Some senators are alarmed while others expressed caution over the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) decision to allow civilians to own semi-automatic high powered firearms. 

Sen. Imee Marcos said the PNP is “shooting itself in the foot” as she feared a rise in criminality, terrorism, arms smuggling and widespread violence, especially in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, if citizens may now own high-powered weapons.

“The PNP is shooting itself in the foot and compromising law enforcement efficiency and, above all, public safety,” Marcos pointed out.

“Do we want a proliferation of shooting violence like in the U.S.? Who is lobbying for firearms manufacture and imports?” she asked.

Marcos also pointed out the public knows little about the PNP recently changing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, allowing the issuance of civilian licenses for M-14 rifles and other semi-automatic weapons with a caliber of 7.62mm and below. 

This decision of the PNP, Marcos warned, would also complicate the government's task of decommissioning rebel firearms.

“When killings occur, penalties for firearm misuse will offer nothing but cold comfort to the families of victims - policemen, soldiers, and civilians included,” she said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, for his part, expressed hope that the PNP will put consider such policy under further serious study. 

“If you look at the greater societal concerns, would you allow your neighbors to own sub-machine guns? My suggestion is slow it down. Have a deeper study (of such policy) as to the peace and order ramifications,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino also expressed fears that a shooting rampage happening in the Philippines similar to what is happening in the United States.

“Those who can legitimately own guns, let them have guns. But those who are just about to own one, they should be subjected to a stricter norms or standards, especially for those aspiring to possess semi-automatic rifles,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also said she believes a safer society, especially for families and schools, is possible if gun ownership, especially high-powered firearms, is strictly limited and regulated. 

“In this time of rampant killings and conflict, we need stronger regulations against the proliferation of firearms in our streets. We must address the broken provisions of the law, which currently enable certain persons to own many high powered weapons,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Congress, she said, should amend Sec. 9, Article III of Republic Act 10591 - which allows so-called “gun collectors” to amass more than 15 firearms without much explicit restrictions - and move in the direction of tighter, not looser, gun control.

“Hoarding high-powered weapons should not be a hobby, much less one enabled by law….no civilian should be allowed to go on a shopping spree for guns,” she stressed.

“Can we really call a person who has sufficient firearms to keep a militia or private army a mere simple collector? We should not allow anyone, especially politicians, business persons and their personnel, to own so many guns. We must fix our gun laws, and stop the rise of political killings and warlordism in our country,” the senator added.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, on the other hand, said that as a gun owner, he supports the PNP’s decision saying he believes authorities will still require stringent documents and requisites before issuing high-powered firearms to any potential applicant.

“Again, the most important part there is the seleciton of those who would be capable of owning these long firearms. That is the most important here; not to shortcut the uro test, the drug test and other examinations,” Zubiri said.

And unlike the US, the Philippines’ gun control laws is more stricter than that of the US and thus, any mass shooting incident is not possible.

“America is different, because in the US, they have the ‘right to bear arms’ under the second amendment. So no matter what, you cannot seize their firearms despite the suspect having criminal records,” he explained. 

Under Philippine gun control laws, however, Zubiri said authorities can automatically move to confiscate all of the firearms of the gun owner upon learning of their criminal liability. 

“All of it are automatically confiscated. Here it’s not a right, it’s a privilege,” he said.

“So maybe, my suggestion to the PNP is if you want to sell them high-powered firearms, let them (owners) be a reservist of the armed forces,” Zubiri said.

“I, for one, am willing, because I am also about to be a reservist soon,” the Senate leader said.