DILG proposes home inspections for gun safekeeping compliance

BRIEFER. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla during a press conference on January 15, 2026.

Jire Carreon/Rappler

‘This might upset a few people because it might be interpreted as an infringement of rights,’ says Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla during a House budget hearing

AT A GLANCE

• DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla proposed home inspections to ensure compliance with gun safekeeping protocols following recent school shootings in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City.
• The proposed amendment to the implementing rules and regulations would allow the Philippine National Police to inspect homes of lawful firearm owners to check their safekeeping procedures.
• Remulla emphasized the need for stricter penalties for firearm owners whose guns are used in illegal activities, highlighting the responsibility of the PNP to ensure proper gun safekeeping.

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CEBU, Philippines – Amid concerns over loose firearm cases following recent school shootings, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday, August 27, said they would propose home inspections to ensure compliance with gun safekeeping protocols. 

This happened after Akbayan Representative Dadah Kiram Ismula asked Remulla, during the House hearing into the DILG’s proposed 2027 budget, what the agency has done in response to the school shooting cases in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City, which revealed that the firearms used were owned by uniformed personnel.

“Now, what we are proposing is that the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) has to be amended. The [Philippine National Police] will be granted access to all homes of all lawfully issued firearms to inspect their procedures in safekeeping,” Remulla said.

According to the interior secretary, the minor involved in the Tacloban school shooting took his aunt’s firearm, which was left on a table. 

In July, the aunt of the minor told lawmakers during a Senate probe into the Tacloban school shooting that the child broke into her home and forcibly damaged her plastic locker, where she kept her pistol.

In the case of the Zamboanga school shooting, Remulla said that the firearm was simply left in the car, which the shooter was able to take with ease.

“This might upset a few people because it might be interpreted as an infringement of rights. However, we must remember that the privilege to own a gun is not enshrined in our Constitution,” Remulla said.

On Wednesday, August 26, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that they had filed a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury against the owner of the gun used in the Zamboanga school shooting.

Before this, the Department of Justice had confirmed that Tacloban City prosecutors had recommended the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries against the aunt of the minor involved in the Tacloban school shooting.

Under existing laws, reckless imprudence is a bailable offense. 

Remulla recommended lawmakers impose greater penalties against owners of firearms used for illegal purposes.

At present, police are able to check compliance and documents for gun owners applying for or renewing their license to own and possess firearms but are not allowed to conduct home visits.

Remulla said the department is eyeing a revision to the IRR that would allow authorities to inform gun owners that a home inspection would occur and that the said inspection would include a checklist to measure the gun owner’s safekeeping procedures.

“There are over 4 million handguns that are legal in this country, both from uniformed personnel and private owners, so I think it should be the responsibility of the PNP to inspect how they safekeep their guns,” Remulla added. – Rappler.com