PRO-6 pushes safer gun storage; Hamtic mayor opens vault

ILOILO CITY — With school shootings involving young perpetrators gaining access to unsecured or improperly stored firearms at home, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has reiterated its call for safer gun storage.

PRO-6 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño also lauded a local chief executive for voluntarily having his firearm safety vault inspected.

Tuaño said Hamtic Mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador was leading by example in promoting responsible firearm ownership.

Pacificador welcomed Tuaño and other PRO-6 officials to his residence on Oct. 14.

According to PRO-6, the mayor voluntarily opened his safety vault for inspection, demonstrating his support for measures promoting the proper and secure storage of firearms.

Pacificador is the first local chief executive to voluntarily submit his safety vault for inspection under the initiative.

The activity forms part of PRO-6’s continuing efforts to encourage firearm owners to secure their weapons properly and prevent unauthorized access, particularly by children and other household members who may be unfamiliar with firearm safety.

The initiative comes amid heightened police attention to firearm storage following school shooting incidents involving weapons accessed by minors from their homes. Philippine National Police rules also emphasize secure firearm storage as part of responsible gun ownership.

Tuaño stressed that responsible firearm ownership goes beyond compliance with legal requirements.

“Keeping firearms safely secured is an important part of responsible ownership. We appreciate the mayor’s cooperation because setting a good example can encourage others to take the same precautions. Our goal is to help prevent accidents and keep our families and communities safe,” he said.

He added that public safety is strengthened when government officials and community members work together and take practical steps to prevent risks before they lead to harm.