Press Release
January 3, 2014

NANCY WANTS STRICTER GUN CONTROL, COMMUNITY-BASED AUDIT
...says children often victims of stray-bullets from indiscriminate firing

Senator Nancy Binay expressed alarm over the recent spate of gun-related injuries affecting children who have been victims of indiscriminate celebratory shootings during the past holiday season.

Binay was likewise disturbed by the reports of rape and other forms of violence and crimes committed against children, calling on law enforcement agencies to implement stricter gun control and community-based "policing" to deter lawlessness.

"Nito pong nakaraang mga linggo, napakalungkot na maraming mga bata ang naging biktima ng karahasan. It's such a painful and heavy scene to see parents grieving over their children who were frail victims of indiscriminate firing of guns, and young girls raped and killed. Seryosong isyu ito na kailangang bigyan ng pansin," the lady senator emphasized.

Sen. Binay and Vice President Jejomar Binay visited indigent patients at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on January 1 and personally witnessed the situation where a victim of stray-bullet shooting was being given medical care.

"The families of these children are grieving. The children were made human toys in a playground of gun-toting neighbors. Random crimes like rape and indiscriminate firing create fear and anxiety in every home. Nakakalungkot isipin na kahit nasa loob ng bahay eh hindi na rin safe," Binay said.

She cited the case of a three-month-old baby in Ilocos Sur who died after being hit by a stray bullet in the head. Another child, a two-year-old in Ilocos Norte, was also wounded in the head by a stray bullet. Two nine-year-old girls were found dead in Taguig and San Andres, Quezon. Both were victims of apparent rape.

With the number of reported stray-bullet victims reaching 30, Binay urged the Philippine National Police to come up with a comprehensive profiling of gun owners who either own registered or loose firearms, and conduct community-based investigations and audit to check on holders of unlicensed and home-made ordnances.

Binay added that the most wonderful gift the PNP could give the families of the victims is a prompt investigation and thorough resolution of the cases.

"I do hope that the ongoing investigations would yield the possible suspects of the crimes and that they would be made to answer for the crime as soon as possible," she added.

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