Marcos open to harsher punishment for loose firearms amid school shootings

August 26, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to imposing harsher penalties for illegal possession of firearms amid recent school shooting incidents, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro agreed with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s suggestion to Congress to impose a 20-year jail term and remove the bail for illegal possession of loose firearms.

“Ito ay naging magandang suggestion ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Ito naman din po ay para sa mas protektadong bansa at mas protektadong mga kababayan natin,” she said.

Castro added that the President won’t oppose initiatives to protect the public, but would need to review the proposed amendments.

“So, kung ano po talaga ang maaring maging magandang batas, para ito po ay mas mabigyan ng malaking parusa, ang Pangulo po ay open,” she said.

Castro added: “But we have to wait for the versions of the bills so that the President could make his stance on such issue. So, ngayon wala pa po.”

Marcos would make a final decision once Congress passes a bill seeking stiffer sanctions against loose firearms.

“Sa totoo lang kung ang tao naman ay maingat talaga na humawak ng kanyang mga baril, hindi maaaring magkaroon ng negligence nasasapit sa ganitong mga klaseng pagkatataon o sitwasyon,” Castro said.

She added: “Muli, kung anuman ang ikagaganda ng ating bansa at sa interes ng ating mga kababayan, hindi po iyan hahadlangan ng ating Pangulo.”