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PNP records show there are 1.6 million licensed firearms in the Philippines. A third of all licensed guns belong to the military and police.
Police also estimated there are nearly 600,000 loose or unregistered firearms.
Police also estimated there are nearly 600,000 loose or unregistered firearms.
Geneva-based Small Arms Survey figures indicated that the number of guns in circulation - licensed and loose - may be much higher, up to 5 million guns.
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Not a priority
For Malacañang, Nicole's death "puts the burden on all of us to make certain that this tragedy is not repeated," the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS) earlier said.
Will President Benigno Aquino III go as far as changing the gun policy terrain? In an earlier interview with Reuters, Aquino was quoted as saying it is "not a priority right now."
But Malacañang's tone seems to have changed after the New Year shooting incidents sparked public outcry. On Friday, January 4, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the proposals for tighter gun control will be raised with the President, a known gun enthusiast.
“Both will have to be discussed with the President given the way that commentaries have been going because of the recent incidents. This is something that we will have to discuss with the President,” Valte said.
With the alarming incidents of gun-related violence, revisiting the country's gun control policy and strengthening measures that will prevent senseless deaths like Nicole's from happening again are becoming a pressing need. - Rappler.com
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