Amend law on firearms

Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition represents an injustice to good people, both foreign and domestic. Though it is designed to protect the Philippine people, it provides a means of exploiting some of them. This law should be amended to remind good people who travel in the Philippines that bullets are not allowed on airplanes, and for noncriminal people, a fine like a speeding ticket should be applied for a violation. Currently, the law is used to appropriate revenue from noncriminal people who make an honest mistake. A modest fine and probation is my answer to educate good citizens. Criminals know the law.

Now, after living in Tagbilaran and Cebu since January 2012 for reasons of tennis and retirement at age 69, now 73, I decided to live here with my wife and boy and girl permanently. I have an honorable discharge from the US Army (Vietnam in 1970). Since then,I have not owned a gun, especially being in a foreign country. A hundred pieces of 22 cal. bullets do me no good. My tennis rackets don't shoot bullets.

In June 2015, I returned to Las Vegas to sell my car and prepare to live permanently in Cebu with my wife. I returned to Manila on September 25, 2015 to learn that bullets were in my suitcase. During my layover at four airports,the last being Singapore, no bullets were detected.On September 26, city prosecutor Arnel Peralta asked me if these airports security found any bullets with me. I said no. I told him I didn't want attorney. I am not a criminal. He said nothing. Late that night, I was processed as criminal at the detention center. One dual citizen from Hawaii and many Filipinos were being detained. One 50-year-old lady was laying on the floor crying for three days from worry. The officers laughed at her. I told them not to do that. She had one .22 bullet in her purse to keep the evil spirits away.

During my week there, four other women were detained for the same reasons, even if their cases were dismissed. They were detained three to seven days. They went before a prosecutor and were then processed as criminals. Mug photos and finger prints were taken for permanent labeling as a criminal. After going before a prosecutor, they must find a lawyer and make bail. My attorney,Grandy Trieste, got my bail reduced from P120,000 to P60,000. Next, you have first hearing before the judge. In my case, it was Judge Edwin Ramizo in Pasay City. All  in all, about 30 people were detained in one week. They all slept on the floor. I refer to this as the cruelest game. They suffered needlessly.

I belong to six tennis clubs and have many good friends in the Philippines who disagree with the way this law is applied. In America, l was a highschool sport coach and physical education teacher. Now, I am a master tennis teacher for Philippine children and others.

My first hearing was ordered for November 4, 2015 and on the second hearing, the prosecutor asked for cancellation of trial. They forgot to bring evidence. The judge ordered a third hearing on December 23 that same year, but it was postponed to February 22, 2016. No reason was given.

On February 22, after prosecutor presented two witnesses, the judge deferred my attorney's cross exam to April 5, 2016. OnApril 5, prosecutor failed to appear, so the judge ordered next hearing for April 26. But during this hearing, the crossexam was cut short because the prosecutor forgot the key to padlock on suitcase holding the bullets. The judge ordered next hearing on May 24. On May 10, the judge postponed case to August 2 and August 16 because he was to take his vacation leave.

I asked my attorney to ask judge to dismiss my case. All my tennis friends thought this was a joke and a form of corruption. But my attorney said to me there was no legal basis for a dismissal request. I paid attorney P3,500 five times for no improvement on my case. On TV, President Duterte said criminal case regarding laglag-bala could be dismissed if there won't be any improvements in the case after three hearings. I am now waiting for August 2, 2016.

Ralph Holt

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