SANTA ROSA, Laguna --- Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño said the
law allows the government to arm barangay officials, backing President Rodrigo
Duterte who is considering arming village officials to fight criminality.
Speaking
to reporters, Diño cited Chapter 3, Section 389 of the Local Government Code,
which states that barangay chairmen are allowed to possess and carry firearms
within their jurisdiction, in the performance of their function of ensuring
peace and order.
“That
is in the law. The President only emphasized that he will support all barangay
captains who will fight illegal drugs and criminality and he will give them
legal support,” Diño said.
“If
there is a disorder in the barangay, to whom do the people run? Who is the
first line of defense? Barangay captain. Small or big, any disorder in the
barangay. That is why the legislators created this law,” Diño said.
Diño
said village officials would be allowed to have one long firearm and one short
firearm.
Those
in the “narco-list,” or the list of government officials allegedly in cahoots
with drug traffickers, will not be allowed to carry firearms, he said.
“Remember,
the Philippine National Police issues the license to carry and own firearms,”
Diño said.
The
public can file complaints before the interior department and the ombudsman in
case of abuses, he added.
Diño
urged critics to read the law first before thumbing down Duterte’s proposal.
“I
am puzzled [as to why there are criticisms]. They should have read the law
first. Barangay captains are guaranteed [firearms] provided they follow the
appropriate rules and regulations,” he said. (Google News – PH/MINDANAO
EXPOSE’)
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