Luistro OKs guns for DepEd officials, but not teachers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education has authorized its top officials to carry a department-issued firearm during their “tour of duty” at DepEd, but not teachers who will serve on the frontlines during the Oct. 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro, in Memorandum Order 103 issued on Monday, ordered that top officials of the department, such as undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, legal officers and their escorts, as well as DepEd “organic security forces,” be issued firearms for their use “while their services are engaged by the department.”

In the order’s statement of policy, Luistro stressed the need for the DepEd to safeguard its officers and employees “in the performance of their duties, especially when they are at risk.”

“Though the use of firearms is discouraged, there are circumstances when it is needed. That is why, in the interest of public security and safety, this department may issue firearms to officers and employees in connection with their duties and responsibilities subject to the pertinent laws,” Luis­ tro said.

Luistro did not say what incident prompted him to issue the order, and there is no mention of giving guns to teachers who will go on election duty on Oct. 25. The election-related gun ban starts today.

The order identified requirements for the issuance of firearms, namely attending a gun safety and firearms handling seminar held by any Philippine National Police gun club; passing a neuro-psychiatric screening by any PNP-accredited diagnostic center; and having no pending administrative and or criminal cases.

The order comes amid the enforcement of tight security at the DepEd by the Luistro administration, which has drawn flak from rank-and-file employees and journalists covering the education beat.

The DepEd central building now has two security desks at the lobby where people have to submit themselves for an interview by security guards on their identities and reason for visiting.

Domingo Alidon of the DepEd National Employees Union recently scored the tight admission policy at the Office of the Secretary (OSEC) since Luis­tro assumed office last July.

Alidon said a visitor has to go through a tedious “clearance” process by clerks at the OSEC for an appointment with Luistro.