Senators to Duterte: Think twice before arming barangay execs

MANILA, Philippines — Senators yesterday cautioned President Duterte about rushing to arm barangay officials, but expressed support for his plan to evaluate the performance of local government executives in fighting crime and illegal drugs. 

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said arming barangay officials is “not as simple as what the President wants.”

“There are laws and procedures to be observed. Say, if government will provide and issue the firearms, there must be a budget in the GAA to be deliberated and approved by Congress,” Lacson said, referring to the General Appropriations Act.

He said if barangay officials would procure firearms out of their own pocket, they would have to apply individually for license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) and permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR), undergo neuro-psychiatric tests, gun safety seminars and other requirements under Presidential Decree 1866, as well as comply with the rules and regulations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Lacson and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto support Duterte’s plan to review the track record of mayors in fighting crime and illegal drugs in their jurisdictions.

Slammed

Meawhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros has slammed Duterte’s proposal to arm students in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and barangay officials with .22 caliber revolvers.

Hontiveros said the idea is crazy.

“What is this? Wild Wild West? That’s crazy. We should put to order our society,” Hontiveros told reporters yesterday at a press conference at a hotel in Dagupan City.

She said arming barangay officials, prosecutors, priests and now those taking up ROTC is not the solution.

Lacson said that despite the resources under his disposal as commander-in-chief, Duterte could not do it alone, especially in addressing common crimes.

“Each and every local government executive at all levels must do their part. Peace and order in the communities should be on the account of their respective local executives,” he said.

Under the law, Lacson said mayors are authorized to employ and deploy policemen assigned in their jurisdictions, not to mention the power to choose their chiefs of police as recommended by the PNP.

“They should be made responsible and accountable for the breakdown of peace and order,” Lacson said.

Recto said Duterte has the authority to order such an audit or evaluation in the exercise of his supervisory role on local chief executives.

“I suppose he is doing this as follow up to his campaign promise to reduce crime nationwide. The message is prioritize law and order to make our streets safe,” Recto said.

Hontiveros said the people’s defense is a professional and rules-based police force and effective armed forces.

“If all sectors are armed, what will happen to us?” she said, adding there will be more killings and human rights violations if guns will be used to end misunderstandings or grudges.

She said such kind of solution or suggestion, where one literally shoots from the hip, is unwanted.

“After targeting small-time drug users, and now the loiterers, then the youth, what is that?” she said.

The senator said the proposal is unreasonable, improper and damaging as it came from the highest elected official “who should be proposing more sane and reasonable solutions.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fully supports Duterte’s plan to arm barangay chairmen.

“It’s a presidential prerogative and we support him,“ AFP public affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.

He said arming barangay chairmen would be a big help to the ongoing military and police security operations against threat groups. – With Eva Visperas, Jaime Laude