Senator Raffy Tulfo is pushing for stricter firearm storage requirements and stronger accountability for gun owners following the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Aug. 18.
The incident left two students dead, including the Grade 10 student who carried out the shooting and later died by suicide. The attack was also livestreamed on social media.
The Bureau of Customs confirmed that one of the two firearms used in the shooting was a government-issued weapon belonging to the student’s father, a Customs police officer.
Tulfo’s office sent a letter to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara seeking a detailed report on the incident and offered assistance to the victims’ families.
Tulfo had earlier called on the DepEd to strengthen school security amid reports of nine consecutive incidents of school violence from June to August 2026.
He has also proposed providing handheld metal detectors to security guards in public schools to prevent firearms and other prohibited items from entering school premises.
However, Tulfo said security measures inside schools should be complemented by stricter rules governing firearm ownership and storage.
He questioned the lack of clear requirements under existing laws to ensure that licensed firearms are securely stored and cannot be accessed by other household members, including children.
“We need to revisit existing laws on gun ownership. Dapat bago mag-issue ng LTOPF ang PNP ay ma-inspect muna nila kung ang licensed owner ay mayroong secured na lugar na mapaglalagyan ng baril niya,” Tulfo said.
“Hindi dapat ito basta basta ma-access ng kung sinoman, kabilang na ng anak ng licensed owner,” he added.
Tulfo also wants licensed firearm owners to face criminal penalties, including imprisonment, when their weapons are used by another person for an unlawful or improper purpose.
“Kapag ikaw ang licensed owner at nagamit ang baril mo sa hindi tamang paraan, dapat kasuhan ka, makulong,” he said.
The senator recently filed Senate Bill No. 2371, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
The proposed measure would require the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to establish Regional Rehabilitation Centers for Youth in every region for children in conflict with the law who are involved in serious offenses.
The proposal also calls for separate and secure facilities for children aged 12 to 15 who have committed heinous crimes.
Beyond school and firearm security, Tulfo also supports measures to monitor and regulate children’s access to gadgets, social media and online games.
He said the DepEd should also develop programs to help parents and teachers identify and prevent violent behavior among students, with Parent-Teacher Associations playing a greater role in addressing the issue.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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