House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said on Monday that efforts to reduce crime, particularly gun-related violence, should begin with strict enforcement of the law.
Romualdez made the remark during an emergency meeting with Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin.
He agreed on the importance of stepping up the fight against crime, which includes a sustained crackdown on illegal firearms and increased police visibility across the country, as well as ongoing programs to improve intelligence-gathering capability and police training.
Romualdez pledged the House of Representatives' unwavering support for a genuine increased law enforcement campaign against crime to ensure the safety of all citizens.
Following recent incidents of gun-related violence against local officials and helpless civilians, the Speaker requested a meeting with Abalos and Azurin.
Amid the high-profile crimes happening recently, Abalos and Azurin emphasized that the crime rate has relatively dropped this year.
Meanwhile, Romualdez continued to cooperate with local communities and the government to make sure the campaign against crime was a success.
The House speaker advocated for a stricter licensing system for firearms, requiring additional gun safety training and stringent background checks on anyone purchasing a firearm.
Furthermore, Romualdez proposed strengthening the government's national firearms database to allow authorities to effectively track the movement and ownership of firearms in the country.
He urged the DILG and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure that cases filed against illegal gun owners are successfully prosecuted and that violators are convicted and punished.
Romualdez also acknowledged the hard work, commitment, and dedication of law enforcement agencies across the country in combating all types of criminal activity.
