Bato backs PNP rules allowing civilians to own semi-automatic rifles

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in favor of the Philippine National Police’s move to amend the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, essentially allowing civilians to own semi-automatic rifles.

In a phone interview with reporters, the former PNP chief and a gun enthusiast himself emphasized that there will be a proliferation of illegal firearms if the public is barred from accessing it.

“Pwede. Nasa batas naman ‘yan e, [Republic Act] 10591… Nakita siguro ng PNP na kailangan i-afford natin sa kanila what is written in the law,” Dela Rosa said.

(That’s allowed under Republic Act 10591… Maybe the PNP saw the need to allow the civilians to access it as what is written in the law.)

“The more you restrict the people from having this kind of firearms tapos kinakailangan nila, the more sila magba-violate sa batas. Pero kung bigyan mo sila ng avenue to make everything legal, then sino bang gustong gumawa ng illegal? Talagang pupunta yan sa legal. Magpaparehistro yan,” he added.

(The more you restrict the people from having this kind of firearms which they find necessary in their lives, the more they will violate the law. But if you will give them an avenue to make everything legal, then who would want to do something illegal? They will make sure that their possession of such firearms is legal. They will have it registered.)

Senator Imee Marcos and Risa Hontiveros earlier raised the need to amend RA 10591 as they expressed concerns over the latest move of the PNP due to its effect on public order.

Contrary to the position of his colleagues, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is a gun enthusiast himself, said the PNP should ensure that they will impose strict scrutiny before issuing licenses to gun owners.

Senator Francis Tolentino, for his part, called for deeper studies on the effect of allowing civilians to own semi-automatic rifles to the peace and order situation of the country.

Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla said those who will be allowed to possess these firearms should be enlisted as reservists.

“Karapatan ng civilian magkaroon ng baril. Pero siyempre pagdating sa long firearms, dapat sana maging reservist sila,” Padilla, who was convicted for illegal possession of firearms in 1994, said.

“Ang kailangan, bigyan natin ng responsibilidad. O binigyan sila ng pagkakataon na mag-ari ng mahaba, bigyan din natin ng pagkakataong magserbisyo sa bayan, maging reserve sila,” he added.

(It is the right of a civilian to possess a firearm. In terms of long firearms, they should possess it but they should be enlisted as reservists. We need to give them a responsibility and a chance to be of country’s service.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News