President Noynoy Aquino is supportive of imposing stiffer penalties on illegal possession of firearms as part of the campaign against extrajudicial killings.

Amid the string of media and political violence during the start of his administration, the President said he also ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review any flaws in the implementation of gun ownership in the country.

“I'll have to look at it, in general yes,” the President said when asked if he was in favor of severe punishment on persons caught in possession of illegal guns.

The police must also check if there is any “looseness” in the granting of gun licenses to the public, according to the President. “At the end of the day it is not a right under our law, it’s a privilege, and there are certain conditions you have to meet to be able to be granted the license,” said Mr. Aquino.

During the campaign to the presidency, Mr. Aquino, who's into target shooting, has opposed a gun ban, saying it only affects legitimate gun owners and not criminals who disobey the law.

At least three activists and a journalist have reportedly been killed since the Aquino government started office last June 30. Local human rights groups have called on the President to take immediate steps to put a stop to the violence against journalists and political activists.

Last Thursday, the President said he wants an end to the extrajudicial killings, blamed by militants and other leftist groups on soldiers, as soon as possible but he declined to impose any deadline. The military, police and the justice department have been directed to ensure perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lim earlier said the President has recently authorized the creation of a super body to probe into the unresolved killings of activists and journalists.

The military and police have already been reminded to uphold and protect human rights following the spate of violence in the first few weeks of the Aquino administration.