Senators seek tighter gun rules, juvenile justice law review

MANILA, Philippines — Senators are pushing for tighter safeguards on firearm access and a review of the country’s juvenile justice law following the fatal shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday.

Sen. Chiz Escudero on Wednesday called for a review of Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, amid a string of violent incidents involving young people in recent months.

“May nakapaloob mang mekanismo para sa accountability at rehabilitasyon ng mga menor de edad na lumabag sa batas, ngunit kung may mga puwang sa implementasyon, tungkulin nating tukuyin at ayusin ang mga ito (While there are mechanisms in place for the accountability and rehabilitation of minors who have violated the law, if there are gaps in implementation, it is our duty to identify and address them),” Escudero said.

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READ: ‘Day of mourning’ in Zamboanga City after Ateneo shooting

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Escudero said the recent incidents also highlight concerns over gun safekeeping, school security, mental health, and young people’s exposure to violent online content and e-games.

As the Senate faces heavy workload, including serving as an impeachment trial court, and a growing number of bills pending before it, Escudero said issues with immediate implications for the safety of children cannot be set aside.

Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda also called for stricter enforcement of gun laws and stronger safeguards to prevent minors and unauthorized individuals from accessing firearms.

“We must determine how the firearm used in this incident was obtained. If there are gaps in our laws, then we must close them,” Legarda said in a statement late Tuesday.

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She also acknowledged the possible impact of online and offline environments regarding how violence is portrayed among young people but pointed back to the possible deadly consequences when a young person gains access to a firearm.

“Ownership of firearms comes with serious responsibilities, particularly the duty to ensure that they cannot be accessed by children or other unauthorized persons,” Legarda stressed.

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Moreover, Sen. Pia Cayetano, on Tuesday said that “this tragedy reminds us that we must continue strengthening both mental health services and school safety.”

She called for stronger mental health support and school safety measures, citing the recent approval of funding for up to 10,000 school counselor positions under the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

Cayetano also urged the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Education to strengthen coordination on school safety and child protection.

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These senators likewise join their peers in expressing grief and concern over the fatal incident. /mr