The Philippine National Police said Friday, Aug. 28, it will conduct further study and consultations with stakeholders on the proposal to inspect residences where government-issued firearms are kept as authorities seek to prevent weapons from being accessed by minors and used in school attacks.

Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the measure aims to compel firearm holders to be more responsible and compliant with conditions of gun ownership but he stressed that consultations must be held to ensure privacy rights are not compromised.

“We are in the process of strengthening our measures to ensure that government-issued weapons are properly stored and kept. This will be carefully studied and we assure that the concerns and sentiments of all the sectors involved will be respected and factored in,” Nartatez said, noting that the police organization will coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the guidelines of the proposal.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier proposed during the House committee hearing on the budget of the agency that police should be allowed to conduct an inspection in the homes of individuals who had government-issued firearms to ensure they are properly stored and kept away from unauthorized persons.

He later clarified that inspections would not be conducted through search warrants but through waivers signed by gun owners, with one day’s notice.

The push for tighter firearm controls followed two school shooting incidents in Tacloban City on June 22 and Zamboanga City on Aug. 18 involving minor students who gained access to firearms that turned out to be government-issued.

Nartatez said any inspection scheme should have clear procedures and safeguards as these should protect the rights of gun owners and police officers from any form of harassment.

He also assured the public that the PNP would keep any action within existing laws and respect individual rights.

Meanwhile, the PNP also expressed support for a proposed law that seeks to strengthen security measures in schools following recent school shootings.

Nartatez said Senate Bill No. 2426, or the Comprehensive School Safety Act, filed by Sen. Bam Aquino, seeks to establish a nationwide system for school safety and provide sustained funding for campus protection programs.

“We support measures that strengthen the protection of our learners. The PNP is ready to work closely with DepEd [Department of Education] and other stakeholders to ensure that schools remain safe and secure environments,” Nartatez said.

The measure covers prevention, response and recovery programs including risk assessments, safety training, emergency procedures, and active safety drills. It also provides for psychosocial and mental health support for affected students, families, and school personnel.

“School safety must be preventive, responsive, and supportive. We will continue strengthening police visibility, threat assessment, emergency preparedness, and coordination with school authorities,” Nartatez said.

The proposed legislation would also complement existing DepEd and PNP efforts such as the School Safety Campaign, stricter campus inspections, visitor management, and increased police patrols.

“Our first priority will be to ensure seamless coordination with DepEd and local stakeholders and to strengthen our police units’ capability to prevent and respond to threats against schools,” he said.