Making possession of loose firearms a non-bailable offense is a good suggestion, Malacañang said, but President Marcos has yet to take a position on it.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said possession of loose firearms must be a non-bailable offense and must carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, stressing that "the current penalty does not provide a sufficient deterrent because persons caught illegally possessing loose firearms may still post bail while their cases are pending."

He also noted that almost all gun-related crimes involved loose firearms.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it was a good proposal as it is intended to make the country safer for the people.

"Sa ngayon po ay wala po tayong maibibigay na anumang stance ng Pangulo patungkol po diyan dahil kung ito po ay gagawing batas magsisimula ito mula sa Kongreso although ito ay naging magandang suggestion ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla (At this point, we cannot give the President’s position on the matter because if this is to become law, it will have to originate from Congress, although it was a good suggestion from Secretary Jonvic Remulla)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

"Ito naman din po ay para sa mas protektadong bansa at mas protektadong mga kababayan natin (This is also intended to make the country and our fellow Filipinos more secure)," she added.

The Palace official further said that the President will have to wait for the versions of the bill before he could present his position on the matter.

"But we have to wait for the versions of the bills before the President can take a position on the issue. So, for now, there is no position yet," Castro said.

On Aug. 25, Remulla disclosed that congressional leaders are already working on the proposed amendments to strengthen the country’s firearms law, with action on the measure being expedited.