MANILA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 10,936 gun-related incidents, including shootings, from 2022 until this year, a spokesperson of the national police said Monday.

The majority of them were shooting incidents, alarm and scandal, grave threat, and robbery, Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press conference, adding that 5,172 of the cases were recorded in 2022, 4,956 in 2023, and 808 so far this year.

In the Philippines, civilians who meet some qualifications are allowed to carry firearms after a license is issued. Furthermore, semi-automatic rifles will be soon added to the firearms list that civilians can own after the PNP amended the implementing rules and regulations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Fajardo said the changes were already submitted to the University of the Philippines Law Center for publication and will take effect before March ends.

Some Filipinos fear that the move could aggravate the gun violence in the country. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)