MANILA, Philippines - A group is pushing for a bill that seeks to stop giving permits to carry firearms to government officials and private individuals amid a controversy involving President Aquino’s political adviser whose high-powered firearms were discovered during a vehicular accident.
 
During a hearing of the Senate public order committee on Tuesday, the Gunless Society of the Philippines expressed support for Senate Bill 129 by Sen. Franklin Drilon and its counterpart measure at the House of Representatives.
 
“With every senseless burst of gunfire, the Philippines looks more dangerous,” said Norman Cabrera, the group’s secretary-general. “There is an urgent necessity to control guns.”
 
The bill aims to limit the issuance of permits to carry firearms to members of the military, police, and other law enforcement agencies, and to agents of duly licensed private security agencies. Those with permits will be allowed to carry their guns only when they’re in uniform and on duty.
 
Cabrera told reporters that should the bill become a law, officials like Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas could be held liable.
 
“Even if Secretary Llamas has a licensed firearm, he should not be allowed to bring it out,” he said.
 
Explaining why he owns firearms, Llamas had said there are threats to his life.

Under the proposed measure, Cabrera said people facing threats will be given security personnel from the police, military, or licensed security agencies.
 
Cabrera clarified that his group is not calling for a total gun ban.
 
“Sinasabi natin dito, ang isang gitna ay hindi ang pagbabawal totally sa baril kundi ang pagbabawal sa pag-issue ng permit to carry sa pribadong indibidwal at pampublikong opisyal. Dito nakasalalay ang pagkakaroon natin ng mapayapa at maayos na lipunan,” he said in an interview.
 
Another group, however, opposes the measure.
 
During the hearing, Atty. Ernesto Tabujara of Pro-Gun Philippines said restricting the issuance of permits won’t necessarily solve the problem.
 
“We feel that there are already existing laws on firearms. The problem is the proper implementation of the law,” Tabujara said.
 
Senate public order committee chair Gregorio Honasan said he will seriously consider suggestions by various groups in crafting the final version of a firearms regulation bill, adding that existing laws are not enough.
 
This includes a proposal by the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines to issue licenses not just to firearms but to their owners as well.
 
The group’s president, Nerio Dionisio, said that aside from making the process of applying for licenses easier, it will help prevent the use of a gun to commit a crime because the licensed owners will be accountable.
 
“Once you use that for a crime, eventually it will lead to you,” he told reporters. “A licensed gun owner will think twice before committing a crime.”