JDV wants laws on loose firearms reviewed

Following the death of a colleague, Speaker Jose de Venecia has called for a review of the country’s laws on loose firearms as he noted that criminals can easily acquire unlicensed weapons.

"There must be a better law on firearms in this country," the Pangasinan lawmaker said, as he and other congressmen paid their last respects to their slain comrade, Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr., who was gunned down last Dec. 16 at a church in New Manila.

Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano III said the death of Bersamin, described by friends and family as a low-key and peace-loving man, "terrified us all."

He urged the government to address the security problem as nobody seems to be safe anymore, not even government officials.

With at least 111 high-profile killings that included local officials, political activists, and journalists, opposition Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque called 2006 as "another murderous year."

"The years 2005-2006 may be the most murderous period in the country’s recent history," he said. "It represents a near total breakdown in peace and order in the country."

Among the latest murder victims were assistant solicitor general Nestor Ballacillo; Ilagan, Isabela Mayor Delfinito Albano, and Isabela City Mayor Luis Biel III.

Bersamin’s death likewise prompted Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert "Ace" Barbers to urge his colleagues in the House to "reinstate" the death penalty Congress abolished last June.

"Lawbreakers have lost their fear of the law and of the duly-constituted authorities. They are abrasively showing their arrogance and contempt for our society, unrestrained by any thought of punishment. Even congressmen are not spared," he said.

Now is the best time to re-impose capital punishment, according to Barbers, because "criminal and wayward elements have become emboldened and more brazen."

Bringing back lethal injection is a "very strong and effective deterrent against heinous crimes as it will make criminals think twice before embarking on any dastardly scheme."

"There is nothing like visions of our own mortality which would make criminals hesitate on implementing whatever evil thoughts they may have in mind," the administration congressman said in a statement.

The Speaker has offered a P100,000 reward for the immediate arrest of Bersamin’s killers, and requested his House colleagues to contribute P5,000 each so that the bounty can reach P1.1 million.

"Without malice to none but with charity for all, I’m contributing P100,000 reward money for (Bersamin’s) killers, and also for the mastermind. I also urge each congressman to contribute P5,000 each, so that it can reach P1.1 million," De Venecia said.

He added: "I say to the people of Abra, let us now put an end to the feuds, the infighting. We don’t want Abra to be like Sicily, which is Mafiosi. We can put an end to these killings. We have to bring peace and tranquillity to this beautiful province of Abra."