DILG wants PNP access to homes of legal gun owners

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on September 1, 2025.

STAR / Miguel De Guzman

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has proposed allowing police access to inspect homes of owners of lawfully issued firearms to check procedures for safekeeping.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla yesterday suggested amending guidelines on the handling of government-issued guns amid recent fatal school shooting incidents that involved such weapons.

In his proposal, Remulla said firearm owners will be informed ahead of time about the inspection and they would provide a checklist and reminders on proper safekeeping practices.

He admitted that such a proposal might “upset some people” but reminded them that owning and carrying a gun is only a privilege.

He pointed out that in both cases of the recent school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga, the safekeeping of the guns was not in standard procedure.

In the Tacloban incident, a policewoman owned the government-issued gun used by one of the shooters, her nephew.

Meanwhile, the guns used in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University were owned by the father of the shooter, who was a Bureau of Customs personnel.

Remulla also urged Congress to repeal Republic Act 8294 or the so-called Robin Padilla law, which reduced penalties for illegal possession of firearms and made it a bailable offense.

However, he acknowledged that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology could need additional funds to enhance their facilities if the law is repealed.

“Loose firearms in this country are prevalent. And if we catch them, it will be non-bailable, so we will need more room in our jails,” he said.