Reports reveal that a gunman shot dead Romeo Olea, a radio commentator in Nabua, Camarines Sur, early on Monday, 13 June 2011, while he was driving his motorcycle on his way to work. He was the sixth media person killed under President Aquino's watch.

Ang Kapatiran Party vehemently condemns this bastardly act.

We grieve for the family of Romeo as we do for the sad state of peace and order in our country brought about by the proliferation of firearms.

While Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma reportedly said in a statement that the Palace was seeking prompt action on the case, it should do more.

As early as 21 September 2010, Ang Kapatiran Party, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc. and ABA Party-List petitioned the House of Representatives to enact the Citizen Protection Act of 2010 – an Act to Regulate the Bearing of Firearms and Deadly Weapons in Public Places, Provide Penalties for its Violation, Provide General Amnesty and Financial Rewards for Voluntary Surrender and Decommissioning of the Same and Appropriate Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.

The said petition was supported by heads of other people's organizations and concerned individuals, who among others include: Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas President Edgardo J.T. Tirona, Couples for Christ-FFL President Frank Padilla, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals President Lorenzo E. Veloso, Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture President Dr. Melba P. Maggay, Kalayaan College President/Movement for a Nonkilling Philippines Convenor Jose V. Abueva, Gunless Society Founder Nandy Pacheco, Radio Veritas President Fr. Anton Pascual, Former Senator Ramon B. Magsaysay, Jr., Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Former Senator Wigberto Tanada, Former PNP Chief Raul Imperial, Olympic Shooter Arturo Macapagal, Carmelites of Cebu Srs. Mary Lawrence and Mary Josephine, and 86 Catholic Bishops of the Philippines including Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales and Cardinal Ricardo Vidal.

In the Senate, Senator Franklin Drilon filed much earlier on 5 July 2010 S. No. 129, An Act to Regulate the Carrying of Firearms, Provide Penalties for its Violation, and for Other Purposes, also known as the Firearms Regulation Act of 2010.

Neither of these two pending bills is gaining progress in Congress. Clearly, such legislation is not among the priorities of the Palace.

Consider the following reports obtained from the Philippine National Police early on when PNoy assumed the presidency:

• PNP: Loose firearms used in 97% of gun-related crimes - "the control of firearms remains to be one of the greatest obstacles in the government's fight against crime and lawlessness."
• PNP seeks extension of election gun ban - "it is not a total gun ban because some persons are still allowed to carry guns but under circumstances or control; what we want to implement are measures to control if not eradicate the presence of firearms in the streets and unauthorized areas or places because we cannot allow our country to have a proliferation of firearms of which we all know are the main instruments of violence here in the Philippines; not only violence but also the main instruments being used by threat groups that are around, like the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army), the renegade MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group), you name it. And even the syndicates."
• PNP bats for stiffer penalties for gun-related crimes - "stiffer penalties would be one of the measures for an effective firearm control program; stiffer penalties could help the PNP in the campaign in police operations against partisan armed groups and other criminal groups."
• PNP claims 70% drop in crime, credits election gun ban - "from 502,655 reported crimes in the first semester of 2009, total crime volume sharply dropped to 157,674 cases nationwide in the first semester of 2010; this was mainly due to the imposition of the five-month gun ban in connection with the May 10 elections."

As conveyed in an open letter to the President dated 30 January 2011, we again beseech PNoy to stop gun violence before it begins by consolidating the two gun control bills now pending in the House of Representatives and the Senate into one bill, and certifying it as urgent for immediate approval by both Houses of Congress.

Else, more of the same, like this one that befell Romeo, will come.

NORMAN V. CABRERA
Secretary-General
Ang Kapatiran Party
nv_cabrera2003@yahoo.com