Manila, Philippines — Alarmed by firearms-related crimes, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a bill that aims to have a tighter gun control and stiffer penalties for unlawful possession and acquisition of firearms particularly by public officials whether in civilian or in military, police or law enforcement service.

In Senate Bill No. 13, or to be known as the Gun Control Act of 2010, Senator Trillanes asked Congress to pass his proposal to deter crimes related to loose firearms more effectively and ensure a more peaceful and orderly country.

Trillanes wanted “maximum penalty for violations committed by public officials… considering that they are supposedly mandated by their office to preserve peace and order in the society.”

The Senator said he was prompted to file the bill after the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes reported that the Philippines ranked 10th in terms of the number of gun homicide worldwide.

Based on the records from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Division, there were an estimated 1,110,372 loose firearms in the country in 2008.

He lamented that majority of the crimes committed during the period involved loose firearms.

“It is in this light that this bill seeks to regulate unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in and acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition and instruments used in the manufacture of firearms and ammunition,” Senator Trillanes said in his explanatory note.