Civil society is urging President Marcos Jr. to veto the passage of the bill amending Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
This would allow the review and removal of three proposed amendments in House Bill 11539 and Senate Bill 2895 that pose serious threats to public safety and peace, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas such as the Bangsamoro.
The first and most alarming problem, as pointed out by the non-government organization Climate Conflict Action, is that the bill shortens the election gun ban period from 90 days before election day to just 45 days and from 30 days after election day to just five days.
The decision and duty to amend the gun ban period is a Constitutional mandate given to the Comelec, and is not within the scope of any other law or agency.
It is illogical, if not outright dangerous and risky, to shorten the gun ban when the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro is expected in Oct. 2025.
In fact, a stricter implementation of the gun ban is even more necessary as the region approaches its most decisive, significant, and game-changing elections since the signing of the peace agreement.
Worse, shortening the gun ban contradicts the lived realities of many Filipinos who just endured one of the most violent election cycles in recent memory.
In the Bangsamoro region alone, the NGO recorded 759 violent incidents between Oct. 2024 and the days following the May 2025 midterm elections.
These attacks began far earlier than usual—five to eight months before election day—and continued to threaten communities even after the winners were declared.
The month of May saw 171 violent incidents, more than triple the 53 violent incidents in April.
Second, the proposed amendments on increasing ammunition purchase limits and extending the validity of permits to carry firearms should be complemented with strict requirements and regular monitoring.
More ammunition opens up more spillage into illegal markets.
Stringent regulatory measures must be in place first if they will allow an increase in ammunition purchase and longer periods for the permit to carry firearms.
And third, they are calling on the President and Congress to focus firearms policy direction towards strengthening the national campaign against illegal firearms – over 3.2 million as of 2018.
Among their recommendations are the establishment of a dedicated PNP unit or a Joint Task Force to combat illicit firearms trafficking and possession; strengthening firearms registration in the Bangsamoro; immediate destruction of confiscated illegal firearms; the imposition of stiffer penalties; and increasing the penalties for perpetrators of gun-related violence, firearms law, and those involved in the sale, transfer, and transport of illegal firearms.
These proposed amendments seek to create concrete mechanisms that will curtail the proliferation of illegal firearms and promote public safety especially in conflict-affected areas.
