Nearly 5,000 gun-related incidents reported in 2023 –PNP

A total of 4,956 incidents of gun-related violence had been recorded in the country in 2023, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

“Ang mga nature po ng mga incidents na ‘yan ay majority po diyan ay shooting incidents, alarm and scandals, grave threat, at robbery po,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(The nature of the majority of these incidents are shooting incidents, alarm and scandals, grave threats, and robbery.)

This year, Fajardo said 808 incidents have been reported so far. 

Currently, 3,792 cases related to gun violence were filed before courts and 1,136 were referred to prosecutor’s offices, according to Fajardo.

The PNP earlier allowed civilians to own semi-automatic high powered firearms after it amended the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

With the amendment, a private citizen can now own small arms of 7.62 mm and below provided that it is not capable of fully automatic burst of fire.

Senator Imee Marcos raised fears that the new policy may result in a rise in criminality, terrorism, arms smuggling, and widespread violence, especially in light of the 2025 national and local elections.

She urged not only the halting of the implementation of the new IRR but also amending the law itself.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros also called for amendments especially in light of “rampant” killings across the nation.

Hontiveros said among the “broken provisions” of the law is allowing so-called gun collectors to amass more than 15 firearms without much explicit restrictions.

Fajardo said the new policy is meant to encourage owners to register their guns and address the problem on loose firearms. For expired licenses and registrations alone, she said authorities monitored 700,000 loose firearms.

“Naiintindihan natin iyong apprehensions ng iilan… Kung magkakaroon man po ng amendment sa substantive aprt ng batas ay iyan naman po ay dadaan ng proseso,” Fajardo said.

(We understand the apprehensions of some… If there will be an amendment to the substantive part of the law, that will go through the process.)

According to Fajardo, it will be easier for authorities to track suspects in gun-related crimes when guns are registered.

Fajardo earlier pointed out that safeguards are in place to ensure that the new policy will not be abused. These include the qualifications for gun ownership like Filipino citizenship, legal age, employment, and requirements such as income tax returns, police clearance, psychiatric and drug tests, as well as training. —KBK, GMA Integrated News