Malacañang on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s suggestion to arm civilian groups could help the country’s bid against crime-fighting, even as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the notion could lead to lawlessness.
Duterte made the notion during the launching and oath-taking of the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers on June 25.
“That is why that is good because if you have this coalition, you have a list of people who are
there and who can arm themselves. I will order the police. If you are qualified, get a gun and help us enforce the laws,” the president said.
“Ikaw ang mamamatay and you are not supposed to die….The criminal…must die. You must live,” he added.
Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said a decision had yet to be made on making it a policy.
“We cannot allow our volunteer groups to be at the mercy of criminal elements that we encourage them to fight alongside with us,” Roque said, echoing Philippine top cop Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
“Kapag naging polisiya na iyan then I’m sure there will the corresponding training to be given to everyone. Pero for now, it’s speculative,” Roque added.
The CHR said the Philippine National Police (PNP) was “more than enough” to enforce laws in the country.
“Arming civilians without proper training, qualification, and clear lines of accountabilities may lead to lawlessness and proliferation of arms, which may further negatively impact the human rights situation in the country,” CHR spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia said.
In response to the CHR, Eleazar claimed that Duterte’s suggestion was “to encourage volunteerism and definitely not vigilantism.”
“Batid ng ating pangulo at kami mismo sa PNP ang panganib na kakaharapin ng aming volunteers for standing up against criminal elements that include members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the suggestion made was aimed at ensuring their own protection—but with an assurance that they will undergo the rules and procedures for civilians to possess and carry firearms,” he said.
Eleazar was referring to procedures such as securing a license to own and possess firearms, which is a requirement before a civilian could buy a firearm and the permit to carry firearms outside their residences.
Aside from the CHR, several senators have also opposed Duterte’s suggestion. John Ezekiel J. Hirro