Peace Advocates Demand Veto on Gun Ban Shortening Proposal
A group promoting sustainable peace in Mindanao has urged President Marcos to veto the bill proposing to shorten the gun ban during elections, along with two other amendments to Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The three changes are outlined in House Bill 11539 and Senate Bill 2895.
The Council for Climate and Conflict Action Asia (CCCA) warned that these amendments pose serious threats to public safety and peace. The most concerning is the plan to reduce the gun ban period from 90 days before elections to just 45 days, and from 30 days after elections to only five days. This is especially alarming with the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections scheduled for October 13, 2025.
“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 October 2025,” the group stated. They emphasized that stricter gun ban enforcement is necessary as the region approaches what they called its most significant elections since the peace agreement was signed.
Security Challenges and Rising Violence in Bangsamoro
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains a security challenge. Police and intelligence reports often identify it as a hotspot for private armed groups. According to CCCA data, there were 759 violent incidents in the region between October 2024 and the period following the May 2025 midterm elections. May alone saw 171 incidents, more than triple those recorded in April.
The group noted that violence started five to eight months before election day, continuing even after winners were declared. “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,” the CCCA said.
Constitutional Concerns Over Gun Ban Amendment
CCCA stressed that the power to amend the gun ban period is constitutionally entrusted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and should not be altered by other laws or agencies. This serves as a safeguard to maintain electoral peace and security.
Additional Proposed Amendments Raise Alarm
The second major amendment involves increasing ammunition purchase limits and extending the validity of permits to carry firearms. The CCCA cautioned that these changes must be paired with strict requirements and active monitoring to prevent the flow of ammunition into illegal markets.
“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,” the group explained. They added, “It must be ensured that these revisions are not feeding the interests of those who want to use their weapons whenever they need to.”
Focus Needed on Illegal Firearms Control
The third area of concern is the need to strengthen national efforts against illegal firearms, which numbered over 3.2 million in 2018. The CCCA urged the President and Congress to prioritize this campaign over regressive amendments.
“Currently, the proposed bill contains amendments that are steps backward for peace, public safety, and democratic stability. We urge the President to act decisively: Veto the bill amending RA 10591 and ask Congress to review its dangerous provisions,” the group stated.
Recommendations to Enhance Firearms Regulation
In urging the veto, the CCCA recommended several measures for inclusion in the law:
1. Establish a dedicated implementing unit, such as a Philippine National Police unit or Joint Task Force, to combat illegal firearms trafficking and possession.
2. Strengthen firearms registration in Bangsamoro by dismantling ceasefire barriers hindering regulation of MILF firearms and creating municipal one-stop shops for registering weapons excluded from decommissioning.
3. Implement immediate destruction of confiscated illegal firearms by consolidating them across law enforcement agencies and allocating licensing revenues for smelting to prevent recirculation.
4. Impose stiffer penalties on those involved in gun-related violence and the illegal sale, transfer, or transport of firearms.
“These proposed amendments aim to create concrete mechanisms that will curtail the proliferation of illegal firearms and promote public safety especially in conflict-affected areas,” the CCCA concluded.
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