Are Ivler's Firearms Licensed?

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said the investigation of the criminal acts committed by Jason Aguilar Ivler , an American national should include the possession of firearms.

"It appears that Ivler possessed two firearms - a pistol which he used in the killing of Ebarle Jr in a road rage incident two months ago and the armalite rifle used by him in his defiance to law enforcers out to arrest him yesterday, " the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security cited.

"His engaging the law enforcers in a shootout in the home of his mother, Marlene Aguilar resulted in the wounding of 2 arresting officers."

"President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo certified during the National Security Council meeting last week a bill proposing for a higher penalty to the offence of illegal possession of firearms."

"I believe that a tougher gun control law to control the possession of firearms in the country should be a major policy concern."

"There was previously a rule in the licensing of firearms with limited possession to 1 short (pistol) and 1 long (rifle) and the rifle is even limited to caliber 22."

"This was changed over the years . Now, high powered firearms to include such military weapons such as the armalite, AK47, barret 50 caliber rifle and such other weapons that should only be used by the military and police are being licensed to civilian individuals."

"Now, multiple licenses are being issued to individual civilians such as the 19 firearms licensed to Andal Ampatuan Jr. "

"These loose grants of multiple licenses for the high powered firearms give opportunities for the existence of private armies."

Biazon said the Ivler case raises some questions that need to be answered:

1. How could Ivler, a foreigner come in possession of a pistol and armalite rifle?

2. Were these two w eapons licensed?

3. What were the sources of these weapons not to mention a bandolier of armor piercing ammo that should only be possessed by the military and the police?

4. Who supplied Ivler these military items? Were they Purchased ? Stolen? Or provided by someone especially where there are reports that Ivler is a relative of a police officer who had been reported to have attempted to assist Ivler's escape from the country?

These and other questions I raised to some police officers and DILG officials yesterday. Biazon concluded, "I will ask these questions this afternoon in the hearing of the bill on gun control certified by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last week. "