A Manila Police District (MPD) official is urging lawmakers to look into the possibility or revising or amending existing laws that define the penalties for illegal possession of bladed, pointed, or blunt weapons – among them metal knuckles.
Senior Superintendent Ronald Estilles, MPD Deputy Director for Operations clarified that the selling or owning a metal knuckle is not against the law. However, he said, it is in the intention of the person holding the weapon that spells the difference.
The issue has come to light on account of the recent death of a 14-year-old student in Taguig City. He was allegedly beaten to death by another minor who used metal knuckles to hit him in the head.
Estilles noted that the weapon is readily available in sidewalks and specialty shops all over the Manila area, especially in Avenida.
The most that police officials can do for now, he said, would be to coordinate with vendors and regulate the sale of these weapons, ABS CBN News reported.
Under the Marcos-era Presidential Decree No.9, it is “unlawful to carry outside of residence any bladed, pointed or blunt weapon such as “fanknife,” “spear,” “dagger,” “bolo,” “balisong,” “barong,” “kris,” or club, except where such articles are being used as necessary tools or implements to earn a livelihood and while being used in connection therewith.”
