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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DepEd urges PNP to implement stricter gun ownership measures

DepEd urges PNP to implement stricter gun ownership measures

Published Aug 5, 2026 09:59 pm
The Department of Education urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to implement stricter measures on gun ownership after an incident in General Santos City where a nine-year old learner was injured when a .38 revolver he and his friend were toying accidentally went off.
The incident that happened on Aug. 3 came barely a month after the mass shooting inside a Tacloban City high school where three students died while more than 20 other learners were injured.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the recent incident in General Santos City as well as instances where school personnel intercepted and confiscated handguns brought onto school grounds by students reflects a concerning pattern of firearm exposure among learners.
“The incident underscores the urgent need to limit minors' access to lethal weapons,” said Angara as he stressed the need to enforce responsible gun ownership across communities.
He said this includes conducting stricter background checks, regularly inspecting licensed firearm storage, and taking firm action against illegal firearms to prevent them from falling into the hands of minors.
The PNP is the agency in charge of firearms regulations, including issuance of permits to own and possess guns.
But Angara said the efforts to protect children from deadly weapons are not only the responsibility of the PNP and school authorities. He urged parents and guardians to provide proactive gun safety education.
And that education should focus on teaching children the extreme dangers of firearms, instructing them never to touch a gun, and reminding them to report any visible weapon immediately to an adult.
He also urged communities to confront the sobering reality of gun proliferation near children while emphasizing shared accountability between homes and schools.
Zero tolerance
Angara also reiterated the strict enforcement of its zero-tolerance policy, which emphasizes that firearms, ammunition, bladed weapons, and explosives are strictly banned on all school premises and at school activities.
The rule is stipulated under the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE).
Under this framework, schools nationwide are instructed to tighten entry protocols, carry out non-intrusive inspections, standardize risk assessments, and report any illegal weapons directly to the PNP.
Zones of peace
Additionally, DepEd said learners, and not just schools, are considered as zones of peace, “all learners, especially children, shall not be the object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect.”
“Learners must actively participate and contribute to building a culture of peace in the school, community, and country.

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