Hontiveros pushes tighter gun controls after Zamboanga shooting

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has intensified her push for stricter gun control measures following a deadly school shooting in Zamboanga, where a student accessed firearms linked to government officials. Speaking at a press conference on August 21, 2026, in Iloilo City, Hontiveros urged Congress to revisit Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, focusing on provisions related to firearm access and storage. She emphasized the urgent need for enhanced regulations to prevent such tragedies. The call for reform follows the August 18 shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, where a Grade 8 student fatally wounded a Grade 10 classmate before turning the gun on himself. The perpetrator gained access to two pistols tied to his father, a Bureau of Customs security officer stationed at the Port of Zamboanga. This incident has sparked renewed scrutiny over the safekeeping of firearms owned by government personnel. Hontiveros pointed out that the Zamboanga tragedy occurred just weeks after another school shooting in Tacloban in June. Both cases involved firearms originating from government officials, raising concerns about the adequacy of current safety protocols. “It is very important to have the knowledge and responsibility to secure the firearms so that their children or nieces and nephews cannot obtain them,” she stated during the press conference. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acknowledged the necessity for improved safeguards. General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., head of the PNP, mentioned that the agency is exploring additional requirements for firearm owners, including stricter safekeeping rules and mandatory gun-safety seminars for both new license holders and those renewing their permits. During a recent Senate hearing, PNP officials expressed support for tighter regulation, aligning with Hontiveros’s advocacy. Authorities are currently investigating potential lapses in the Tacloban case and are similarly examining how the firearms used in the Zamboanga shooting became available to the student. Hontiveros questioned the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the weapons, noting that two of the firearms were licensed by the PNP while another was issued by the Bureau of Customs. “But why and how was the child able to obtain them?” she asked, highlighting the gaps in existing oversight mechanisms. Hontiveros underscored that the issue extends beyond legally registered firearms. While RA 10591, passed in 2013, governs the ownership, possession, and sale of firearms and ammunition, she noted that lawmakers are still awaiting comprehensive data from the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office regarding the number of firearms held by civilians and the prevalence of unlicensed weapons. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that gun ownership in the Philippines is subject to government regulation rather than being considered a constitutional right. The ongoing investigations and calls for legislative action reflect a growing awareness of the risks associated with lax firearm management. As the PNP works to implement stricter safekeeping guidelines, the debate over gun control continues to intensify, driven by high-profile incidents that challenge the effectiveness of current laws.