PIMENTEL PRESSES FOR STRICT GUN POLICY

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today called on the government anew to tighten the rules for allowing civilians to carry firearms in the wake of the unfortunate killing of a man and his young daughter during a shootout between policemen and robbers in Paranaque City Friday night.

Pimentel urged law enforcement authorities to study the possibility of prohibiting civilians, even those with the necessary permits, from carrying loaded firearms outside their residences. He said civilians should be required instead to put the ammunition in a box which they can put into their guns when it is extremely necessary to protect themselves from criminal elements.

Alfonso "Jun" Rivera, 53, and his 7-year old daughter, Lea Alyanna, were among the 17 persons killed during the gunbattle between policemen and suspected robbers at the United Paranaque Subdivision 4 in Barangay Marcelo Green.

"The Paranaque shootout should prod the government to adopt a strict gun policy. Nobody but law enforcers should be allowed to carry loaded firearms," he said.

Pimentel cited the practice in the United States where civilians are allowed to bring their firearms while traveling but are prohibited from loading them bullets unless warranted by circumstances. The bullets can be kept in the compartment of a car.

He said violators of this rule could be held liable for heavy penalties.

Pimentel noted that one of the reasons which prompted the judge in a United States court in meting out a nine to 30 year imprisonment on convicted former football and movie star O. J. Simpson was his illegal carrying of a loaded firearm when he barged into a store and took away some articles.

Meanwhile, Pimentel denounced the slaying of farmer Arnaldo Hayohoy by a still unidentified gunman in Dumaguete City at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"It is feared that the killing of Hayohoy was connected with the recent installation of farmer-beneficiaries in the Teves Hacienda in Negros Oriental under the comprehensive agrarian reform program," he said.

Pimentel asked Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa to order a full-dressed investigation into the slaying and a manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime.