Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday called on Congress to revisit existing gun laws and impose greater accountability on firearm owners as the government moves to address the proliferation of loose firearms following the recent school shooting in Zamboanga City.

The call came after the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, the second incident in two months wherein a government-issued licensed firearm ended up in the hands of a student, a minor considered a child in conflict with the law (CICL).

Speaking at a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Remulla said 98% of crimes involving firearms are committed using loose firearms. He noted that illegal possession of loose firearms remains a bailable offense under Republic Act No. 11766 in a country with more than 2.87 million licensed gun owners.

“All gun owners, whether private or public, should have punitive damages when somebody else uses his or her gun. Dapat may accessory penalty siya,” Remulla said.

“Kailangan natin ng whole-of-nation approach, kailangan magtulungan ang PNP (Philippine National Police), Congress, at mga gun owners. Nanawagan tayo sa Congress na baguhin na at i-repeal na ang batas at gawing non-bailable offense ang krimen ng loose firearms,” he added.

Citing initial reports from the PNP, Remulla said Ateneo de Zamboanga has 25 security guards on 24-hour duty shifts, with 15 deployed during the day and 10 in the evening.

Under long-standing security protocols, security guards check the bags of students entering the school on foot, while students riding in vehicles are allowed to enter the school premises without undergoing the same checks.

“I am filled with compassion for everyone, not only for the parents of the students shot but also for Ateneo. Walang kasalanan ang school at ang security guards; ang sistema ng security ang kailangang i-review,” Remulla said.

Dispelling misinformation surrounding the incident, Remulla said the suspect was a Grade 9 top 1 student, had no history of bullying, and was not reported to have undergone shooting training. He was a Roblox player who livestreamed on a site from a first-person shooter point of view (POV) as he carried out the crime in a span of just three minutes.

Reported victims included a Grade 10 student who died and two other students who were injured, while several students experienced panic attacks, anxiety, and minor injuries during the incident. The suspect shot himself and died after the incident.

“Once again, it involves students. Once again, it involves firearms. Once again, we are confronted with the question of what more we can do as a country,” Remulla added.

The DILG chief underscored the need to reinforce gun-safety training and ensure that responsible firearm ownership does not end with obtaining a license. He said the government’s responsibility is ultimately to protect the public and preserve the social contract that keeps communities safe.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said responding police officers recovered two short firearms: a Glock 22 caliber 40 registered under the Bureau of Customs and a Glock 9mm pistol with inserted magazines.

Also recovered at the crime scene were one Roni conversion kit, empty bullets, one mobile phone, and one black headgear.

PNP data further revealed that a total of 50 school-related incidents involving minors were reported from June 16 to August 18, 2026 alone. Of these, four were stabbing incidents, two were shootings, four involved illegal possession of firearms, 12 were shooting threats, 26 were bomb threats, and two were death threats.