Manila ( AsiaNews) - The new law on firearms has sparked heated debate in the Philippines, where in 2013 alone over 220 thousand crimes were committed including robberies, murders , assaults violence. The new norm is the final version of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, of June 2013, which allows at-risk groups to carry fire-arms. These include journalists, lawyers, activists and priests often victims of kidnapping, summary killings and robberies by groups of terrorists or criminals. According to the previous law such categories were treated like any other citizen and had to show that they are "under real threat" to bear arms. Critics of the law state that while the government now allows individuals at risk to defend themselves, it still does not make any headway in preventing crimes.
According to government data, there are little more than 1 million registered weapons nationwide, while there are over 800 thousand illegal . The government argues that under the new law it is possible to reduce the illicit trafficking of firearms, but as stated by Philstar journalist Jarius Bondocit does not " make sense to increase the restrictions if a general climate of impunity continues to persist."
So far the Church has not yet made statements, but already in July 2013 the bishops had objected to the decree stating that "missionaries are by definition non-violent and get their protection from the angels, not from arms".
The new norm, while expanding permission to those groups at risk, on the other hand provides for more severe penalties for those who carry guns and ammunition illegally. The sanctions have passed from the current four months to four years in prison. There are also more restrictions on the purchase of arms. Those who wish to obtain a license must pass a drug test and a psychiatric evaluation. With it, the buyer can go to any armory and buy a registered fire-arm. The third step is the authorization to carry firearms outside of the home.
During the presidency of Fidel Ramos all licenses to carry firearms were suspended, although the illegal trade in guns and even weapons of war was flourishing in the country. Nandy Pacheco , president of the Gunless Society points out that the new law has many obscure points . In fact, the text "allows collectors to own up to 15 weapons, but does not explain what the requirements and criteria for considering a person 'collector' are." The risk is that many people can create their own arsenal.
Lawyer and human rights activist Harry Roque, "a stop-gap measure while we are not able to make the justice system work." "More weapons - he adds - even if registered only bring problems. With this loophole politicians will continue to maintain their own private armies".
The positions of the Church and of the activists are at odds with those of the President Aquino who is a known lover of weapons. Recently speaking to a group of students visiting the presidential palace, he said he owned dozens of guns and that shooting is a method to combat stress.
