METRO MANILA --- Minority
lawmakers and some barangay captains themselves oppose President Rodrigo
Duterte's plan of arming village chiefs and officials to fight crime and
illegal drugs.
Caloocan
Rep. Edgay Erice said the idea will only lead to a "wild, wild west
scenario."
"Arming
barangay captains of the 40,000 barangays simply means creating a private army
of political kingpins in cities, provinces, and municipalities," Erice
said in a statement.
Ifugao
Rep. Teddy Baguilat warned of "more abuse and violence," stressing
that barangay officials are not equipped to enforce laws with guns in their
hands.
"They
don't have the skill, orientation, and education. Their primary task in law
enforcement is to act as monitors for the police, help enforce local ordinances,
and report the more serious crimes to capable law enforcers," Baguilat
said.
Barangay
Captain Joey de Guzman of Barangay Socorro, Quezon City is also not convinced
holding a gun can deter crime.
"Walang
training ang barangay about diyan. Hindi kami police enforcement," de
Guzman said.
All
village chiefs will have to undergo marksmanship training first before owning a
firearm, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said.
"Hindi
pwedeng bigyan mo yung isang tao na hindi marunong bumaril napakadelikado nun
(You cannot just give it to someone who does not know how to use a gun, that is
dangerous). You have to train these people also kung talagang magkaron ng
directive to arm them," Albayalde said.
Speaking
before the barangay chairmen of Central Luzon lastJune 12, Duterte said he
“might consider” arming them to support the government's anti-crime and
anti-drug campaign.
He
promised to stand by village leaders who face charges in the performance of
their duty.
"Remember
this. Pag nagka-atraso kayo [If you get in trouble], and there is a case filed
against you and you think you are in the performance of your duty as a barangay
(captain) tapos napatay mo o nabugbog mo. Do not be afraid. The only thing i
ask of you is... kung mali mo, huwag ka nang lumapit sa akin [If you're the one
who committed the mistake, don't seek for my assistance]," he said.
In accordance to
law
Interior
Undersecretary Martin Diño assured that firearms will be given only to
qualified villages officials who are keen on fighting crime and illegal drugs.
"Hindi
ko bibigyan ng pagkakataon mag-armas ang mga questionable na barangay captain
(Questionable barangay captains won't get firearms)," he said.
He
added arming barangay officials does not violate any law.
He
cited Section 389 of the Local Government Code, which states, "In the
performance of his peace and order functions, the Punong Barangay shall be
entitled to possess and carry the necessary firearm within his territorial
jurisdiction, subject to appropriate rules and regulations."
Liga
ng mga Barangay National President Edmund Abesamis told CNN Philippines that
while the law allows barangay officials to carry firearms, they still have to
go through an application process to be granted a permit to carry firearms.
Diño
said he will ask Albayalde to expedite barangay captains' requests for licenses
to own and carry firearms - a request he also made to former PNP Chief Ronald
dela Rosa. (CNN Philippines Staff with Gerg
Cahiles and Eimor Santos contributing to this report/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)
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