PCAC: Bad idea to arm enforcers with guns

CEBU, Philippines - The presiding officer of the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council is not amenable to the proposal to issue guns to traffic enforcers just because one of them was shot dead while performing his job in Barangay Banilad last week.

Eugene Elizalde said issuing traffic enforcers with guns may only create another problem because they are not trained to kill but just to keep order in the streets.

Elizalde said the best thing the city can do is to teach traffic enforcers how to apprehend traffic violators without scolding them because scolding them might provoke them to attack the enforcer.

It was reported that before traffic enforcer Armando Daligdig was shot and killed while manning the traffic in Barangay Banilad he apprehended former policeman Geoffrey Borinaga and an argument ensued between the two of them.

A few hours after Daligdig was killed, Borinaga was captured in a follow-up operation in his house in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City and the pursuing policemen were able to recover a .45 cal. pistol with seven live rounds and the motorcycle, which he allegedly used during the commission of the crime.

Ballistic test showed that the slugs recovered from the victim's body were fired from his gun.

According to Elizalde, arming the traffic enforcers is not the solution but the best move is to install CCTV cameras in different places in the city to discourage criminals.

The city had already started installing 20 CCTV cameras in different areas of the city.

PCAC is also pushing for livelihood assistance to the widow of Daligdig. Elizalde said while financial assistance is due to the bereaved, a sustainable livelihood might be better.

He further suggested that the widow of Daligdig could be trained by the city Department of Manpower Development and Placement office.

Daligdig's family will also receive P10,000 from the burial assistance program given to city residents.

On top of this, PCAC is also recommending for another P50,000 aid since he was killed while on duty as a city traffic enforcer.

A City Traffic Management Office board resolution was unanimously carried on June 10 commending the late enforcer for his contribution to the city. CITOM Board resolution no. 13 series of 2013 gave Daligdig a “posthumous commendation for his exemplary performance and recommending to the Cebu City Government thru PCAC to grant financial and educational assistance to the immediate family.” –(FREEMAN)