MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s remark about arming civilian volunteers is not yet policy, Malacañang said yesterday, as some sectors are worried that the proposal could result in the rise of vigilante groups.
During the launch of a coalition of anti-crime volunteers at Camp Crame last Friday, Duterte said qualified civilians should “get a gun” and help the government enforce laws. He said civilian volunteers are not supposed to die while performing their roles.
“Well, as you said, he is open to the idea but there is no finality yet,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing when asked to explain the context of the President’s statement.
“So there is not a policy yet, I’m sure it will be subjected to full staff work. But meanwhile, there is a reality that while volunteers are helping out, there are also threats to their lives,” he added.
Roque echoed the view of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar that civilians also have the right to defend themselves from threats.
“As the chief PNP said... we cannot allow our volunteer groups to be at the mercy of criminal elements,” he said.
When asked to react to views that untrained civilians may be prone to lapses, Roque replied: “You know, it’s really speculative to discuss this because there is no policy yet on this. So let’s not waste time speculating.”
“Once it becomes a policy, then I’m sure there will be corresponding training to be given to everyone. But for now, it’s speculative,” he added.
Roque said the arming of civilian volunteers is still an “idea” and that all views about the proposal would be considered.
At a press briefing yesterday, Eleazar said anti-crime volunteers should shoulder their purchase of guns.
“The government will not give them firearms … It’s still like that, they’ll buy the guns if they are qualified to buy and they will undergo our process (for license and permit),” Eleazar said.
Eleazar clarified that anti-crime volunteers would be treated as regular civilians and information providers to law enforcement. The nature of their volunteerism, he added, may invite retaliation from criminals. He assured the Commission on Human Rights and the public that the move would not lead to vigilantism.
The PNP chief said volunteers would need to secure license to own firearms and permit to carry them outside their homes.
Last Friday, the PNP launched the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers.
Mixed reactions
Senators have mixed reactions to President Duterte’s suggestion to arm civilian anti-crime volunteers.
“Civilians have long been armed. Perhaps the President wants the PNP to ease up on the licensing of firearms, well then we need to amend the law. An EO (executive order) won’t do it,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is against the proposal, saying the country needs good governance and not guns to solve criminality and poverty.
“What can solve the country’s growing problems on criminality and its main drivers – poverty and hunger – is good governance not guns,” Drilon said.
“More guns do not make a country safe. More guns will not solve poverty and hunger. More guns will not bring back lost jobs. More guns will not bring back investor’s confidence,” he said.
“The proposal would serve to create the impression that the government is incapable of protecting the safety and welfare of Filipinos,” Drilon said.
“The increasing incidence of crime in the country that involved a firearm is already a cause of concern. The proposal carries a high risk that guns may fall in the wrong hands and, therefore, only exacerbate criminality,” he added.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she is also opposed to arming anti-crime civilian organizations.
“I call on chief PNP Guillermo Eleazar to think twice about the administration’s plan. During the PNoy (Aquino) administration, a pile of police powers were not needed to keep the crime rate low,” said Hontiveros.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, the first PNP chief under the Duterte administration, said he doesn’t see any problem with the idea of the President allowing civilians to carry firearms.
“I see no problem as long as they are properly supervised. It would be a big help to the government to have additional manpower to maintain peace and order at no additional cost to the government,” said Dela Rosa.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said rules on gun ownership must be stricter. “On the contrary, rules on gun ownership must be made stricter. The laws against unlicensed firearms must be strictly enforced. Train the police better. Hire more policemen if necessary,” Pimentel said.
“Allow reputable experienced foreign police services to visit our PNP under a Visiting Police Forces Agreement so that our PNP can learn from them about crime fighting, solving and prevention, etc,” he said.
New rules
Sen. Joel Villanueva said allowing anti-crime groups to arm themselves may require defining the legal bounds on rules of engagement, among other requirements.
“When private individuals are allowed to bear arms for missions reserved for officers of the law, there is the challenge of defining the protocols they should follow,” Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, said.
Villanueva said training is essential and at the same time costly. “Police officers are taught and trained for years to observe rules of engagement. Who will provide that costly education to what would essentially become urban CAFGUs?” he said.
Villanueva said this proposal needs serious study. He said what may be needed is more “official boots” on the ground in the crime-fighting arena.
“I share the belief of many experts that more police patrols, more officers pounding the beat, and increased police visibility will curb crimes better than guns in the hands of civilian groups. We should invest in smart policing,” he said.
“A CCTV network has greater deterrent value than licensed vigilantes roaming the streets. A responsive 911 system that can scramble policemen to scenes of crime in minutes and not in ages will send the message that crime will be stopped and the public will be protected.”
Villanueva said he believes that peace and order is “one government function that should not be privatized or deregulated because, on paper, there is no shortage of military and civilian uniform personnel, who number at least 400,000.”
“The call that more civilians be deputized to carry out police work is already answered by current firearms laws that allow professionals like lawyers, CPAs, cashiers, bank tellers, religious workers, engineers, business to own and carry one if their work or business makes them a high risk targets of criminals,” Villanueva said.
He also said that two in every three firearms in the country are unregistered, but of the 1.2 million registered firearms, close to half, or 540,000 are in responsible civilian hands.
“It is illicit guns that enable criminals, and to deprive them of their tools of trade, the police should launch a drive against gun trafficking,” he added. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Cecille Suerte Felipe