President Rodrigo Duterte has called for stricter regulations on public ownership of high- powered firearms and ammunition as he ordered newly named Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to prevent these weapons from falling into the hands of criminals and communists.
In a speech before gun enthusiasts in Davao City on Friday, Duterte cited the threat posed by the communist rebels which he said have the means to purchase high-powered guns and ammunition from local gun dealers.
The communist rebels are earning money through extortion from mining companies and large plantation owners, he said.
“So they have the money. So we have to control. Kung may magpabili ka ng armas, make sure kung sino and I would create an office,” he said.
“I will give the guidance to the new Interior chief on how to ensure that no firearms would ever, ever land in the hands of an enemy of the state,” the President added.
Duterte told gun dealers to advise their clients that they have to work on the papers to buy bullets and arms and to submit them early to get their orders on time.
High-powered firearms should not be sold to civilians, he stressed, adding security guards should not be allowed to own firearms. They can be equipped with shotguns to defend themselves.
“We can do business but let us make sure that it does not fall into the hands of the enemies. Because it could then make it doubly hard for us, instead of investing on the life of one soldier in a fight, if you give them the firepower and the firearms. I would need about five soldiers to suppress one enemy. Mahirap ‘yan,” he told the guns and ammunition dealers.
Duterte however, encouraged qualified Filipinos to acquire guns to protect their families inside their homes.
“If you are qualified, get a gun,” the President said. “It’s better to be prepared. Hindi na masyado sa labas, and problema if you are invaded and there is an invasion in your house, and you have to protect a family.”
The President said he is opposed to arming security guards even before with high caliber firearms particularly those who are assigned to far-flung areas because NPA rebels often seize those weapons.
There is a need however, to revise some of the rules in buying guns and ammunition, Duterte said, noting however that it should not harm gun stores in making profit.