‘Hold negligent gun owners criminally liable’

The Junior High School building of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Philstar.com / Martin Ramos

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo is pushing for legislation that would impose criminal liability on negligent gun owners, after a firearm was found inside the bag of a Grade 9 student in Cebu, just days after a deadly school shooting in Zamboanga City.

Authorities reported that the gun retrieved from the student in Pinamungajan, Cebu, belonged to the minor’s grandfather.

The incident follows the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) that left two students dead and nine others injured.

Addressing the alarming ease with which minors are accessing weapons, Tulfo stressed that parents and guardians must be held strictly accountable if they fail to secure their firearms.

“We cannot wait for another fatality or more collateral damage. There has to be a law that will strengthen the existing framework on firearm ownership,” the senator said, announcing that a bill is currently underway to penalize negligent custodians.

“The intention is clear: ensure that every child will not have access to a firearm, gun-owning parents and guardians practice responsible ownership and that no firearm entrusted to either a public or private individual, will ever become an instrument of tragedy in the hands of a child,” he added.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, also urged parents to strengthen communication with their children rather than relying solely on technology to monitor their well-being.

“It really starts at home. What made these kids think that it’s all right to bring weapons to school?” he asked.

Tulfo emphasized that no child is naturally born violent, noting that genuine guidance and intervention are needed to prevent underlying triggers from escalating into tragedies.

Online threat suspect arrested

Meanwhile, the suspension of classes in Valencia City, Bukidnon, was lifted after authorities arrested a 15-year-old boy suspected of posting online threats of a mass shooting targeting several schools and educational institutions, including Valencia National High School and Central Mindanao University.

Valencia City government spokesman Jun Galario said the minor was arrested by Valencia police operatives on Saturday and turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office for proper disposition in accordance with protocols governing children in conflict with the law.

Galario said the class suspension was imposed following the circulation on social media of an alleged threat of a mass shooting at schools in the city. — Gerry Lee Gorit