Phillipines Relaxes Rules for Rifles to Counter Threats From China (Bearing Arms)

Bearing Arms ^ | March 5, 2024 | Cam Edwards

[DogByte6RER]

Gun laws in the Philippines aren't as atrocious as many other countries in southeast Asia, but they're still wildly draconian compared to most states in the U.S. There are an estimated 4 million gun owners in the country, but in order to lawfully possess a gun owners have to jump through numerous government-imposed hoops like psychological testing and training mandates, and some guns that are commonly owned here are off-limits to the average Filipino.

This week, however, the Philippine National Police announced that soon civilians will be able to purchase and possess semi-automatic rifles; a major change to the country's gun laws that's being applauded by groups like Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, whose founder believes the change will help increase national security at a time when China is ramping up its aggression against Philippine interests.

- VACC president Arsenio Evangelista said with tensions remaining high at the West Philippine Sea (WPS), having a civilian population trained in using long firearms is beneficial to the country’s defense.

- “Alam naman natin masyadong heightened ‘yung conflict ng China sa WPS so in case of external threat ay well-trained tayong mga civilians sa high-powered,” Evangelista said in an interview with Net 25.

- In a separate phone interview, Evangelista believes responsible gun owners will not hesitate to join the uniformed service in defending the country in the event of an invasion.

- “If you have the shooting skills, you can be a volunteer in defense of the Philippine flag and our country,” he said.

That's a far cry from the days of the Marcos regime, when the government confiscated legally owned firearms after martial law was declared, …

[DogByte6RER]

Filipina girls with guns photos via Lars Igelström at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/skumroffe/

[ifinnegan]

Related news

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/03/06/2003814517

Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels yesterday collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crewmembers were injured in high-seas confrontations.

The China Coast Guard ships and accompanying vessels blocked the Philippine Coast Guard and supply vessels off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙) and executed dangerous maneuvers that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said.

The supply boat, crewed by Filipino navy personnel, was later hit by water cannon blasts from two Chinese coast guard ships. Its windshield shattered, injuring at least four Filipino crewmembers, a statement from the Philippine government task force dealing with territorial disputes said.

[jimwatx]

Wise move by them.

[roadcat]

“If you have the shooting skills, you can be a volunteer in defense of the Philippine flag and our country,” he said.

Scary thought, thinking about what could happen if war breaks out with China. My wife's sister and her husband just returned last week from the Philippines, having done business there for a couple weeks. Wife's sister is Chinese, while her husband is Philippino. He is a former SFPD police officer, and can handle guns. Every time he goes there, he brings extra clothes and leaves them behind for people on the islands who are poor. Those people will fight to the death. Not so sure about pampered Chinese soldiers.

[Fuzz]

Ah, the Balikbayan boxes. My in-laws would bring the maximum amount whenever they visited. Wasn’t a fun airport drop off.

[catbertz]

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!💪😀

[Big Red Badger]

Flood the Place with Ruger 10-22 ‘s !

[Disambiguator]

Flood the Place with Ruger 10-22 ‘s !

And Mini-14s.

[SauronOfMordor]

Don’t let the Muslims in the South have them. Although they illegally already do.