Senate hearing on gun control
Grace Poe: Uphold Citizens' Rights

Sen. Grace Poe asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to uphold the constitutional right of the citizenry "against unreasonable searches and seizures" in connection with the PNP's inspection of registered gun owners' homes.

"We don't want the police to be knocking on our doors if it's not called for," Poe emphasized during the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs hearing which tackled gun control.

Police Sr. Supt. Robert Po of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office reported that the PNP's Oplan Katok has visited 526,714 homes of registered firearms owners. He assured, "We have initiated changes since yesterday... to check without necessarily entering their residences."

At the same time, the senator asked the PNP to submit the minutes of the meeting involving the selection of the courier for the delivery of firearms licenses.

"Did this go through a bidding? By explaining yourselves, our people will trust you. The public must not be forced to pay for the services of a courier at a higher cost. Why pay P190 when the cost should only be about P100," Poe stressed.

The senator also pointed out, "Registered gun owners are generally responsible gun owners, and we do not want to penalize them unnecessarily. We do not want special treatment, only equitable treatment."