Philippine Interior Secretary says there are an estimated 2 million unlicensed guns in the country

China News Service, Manila, September 10 (Reporter Zhou Jing) The Philippine Interior Minister said on the 10th that the number of unlicensed guns circulating in the Philippines is estimated to be as high as 2 million.

At a Senate budget hearing held that day, Interior Minister Remuglia said that the government is collecting intelligence and plans to promote the revision of the so-called "Robin Padilla" related laws. The law, Republic Act No. 8294, amends Presidential Decree No. 1866 to make illegal possession of firearms a bailable offense.

When Senator Elsito asked how many unlicensed guns there were in the country, Remuglia said: "We estimate up to 2 million." Elsito expressed surprise, saying that previous estimates were only 500,000 to 600,000.

Remuglia pointed out that about 98% of crimes in the Philippines involve unlicensed firearms. He believes that if an illegal gun owner is caught with a search warrant, the relevant charges should be without bail. He said illegal gun owners were often repeat offenders and were likely to reoffend once they were released on bail. The remaining 2% of gun-related crimes involve legal firearms, which typically occur in homes or when firearms go off when handled by children.

Remuglia also said the Interior Ministry was pushing for greater accountability for gun owners. If a legal firearm is stolen and used in a crime, the owner should be held accountable. (over)