PNP to tighten firearm security rules for cops

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the move is aimed at strengthening accountability among its personnel in the storage of their firearms.

Philstar.com / Irish Lising

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is reinforcing firearm security rules among PNP personnel after investigation showed that the suspect in the Zamboanga City school shooting used guns issued by the government to his father.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the move is aimed at strengthening accountability among its personnel in the storage of their firearms.

“We remind all our personnel to exercise utmost responsibility in securing their firearms, especially when they are off duty and at home,” he said in a statement.

The suspect in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School shooting, a 14-year-old Grade 8 student, used two handguns issued to his father, a Bureau of Customs official. BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has since sacked the father.

Nartatez ordered police commanders to conduct firearm-accountability reminders during briefings to emphasize to their personnel proper storage and handling of guns.

“We support calls for stricter accountability among gun owners. Responsible storage is non-negotiable,” the PNP chief stressed.

The PNP will also deploy personnel and resources in support of the Department of Education (DepEd)’s nationwide safety drills scheduled on Aug. 25.

“We have been involved in crafting measures to ensure the protection of learners and every learning space,” Nartatez said in a statement.

The school safety drills were initially tested in some schools after the PNP and the DepEd crafted the protocol for teachers’ and students’ safety.

“The hard work is not yet done since your PNP will also be there to make sure that these safety measures are properly implemented in every school,” Nartatez said.

Revisit gun laws

Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo urged strict gun storage rules and mandatory police inspections to keep lethal weapons out of children’s hands.

To address the lack of stringent guidelines under existing laws, Tulfo proposed that the PNP conduct physical inspections of a gun owner’s storage system before issuing a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF).

“We need to revisit existing laws on gun ownership. Before issuing LTOPF, the PNP must inspect if the licensed owner has a secured place to store his gun,” Tulfo said. “The gun should not be easily accessed by anyone, even the children of the licensed owner.”

He is also pushing for mandatory jail time for licensed firearm owners whose guns are used by another person for an unlawful purpose.

“If you are the licensed owner and your gun was used incorrectly, you should be sued and jailed,” he said.

With nine consecutive incidents of school violence recorded from June to August 2026, Tulfo’s office formally requested a detailed report from DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and offered assistance to the victims’ families.

The senator urged the DepEd to implement immediate security upgrades, such as providing public school security guards with handheld metal detectors to intercept contraband.

He also called on the agency and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) to develop programs that help adults identify violent behavioral red flags in students.

In light of the escalating violence involving minors, Tulfo recently filed Senate Bill 2371 to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

The proposed measure mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to establish Regional Rehabilitation Centers for Youth in every region, featuring separate and highly secure facilities for children aged 12 to 15 who commit heinous crimes. — Neil Jayson Servallos