ARM civilian organizations to reduce crimes and ensure peace and order?
Such proposal is an admission that the government is failing in its duty to provide security and protection to Filipinos. In fact, it creates the impression that the government is incapable of protecting the safety and welfare of Filipinos.
Here’s the thing: The increasing incidence of crime in the country that involves firearms 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.
Stricter implementation of firearm licensing regulations is needed, rather than arming groups. In fact, the Philippine National Police must intensify its operations against loose firearms.
The proposal to arm civilian organizations is definitely not the solution to rising criminality. What can solve the country’s growing problems on criminality and its main drivers – poverty and hunger – is good governance, not guns.
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. What the government needs to do is to bring back good governance to address the causes of criminality which are poverty, hunger and joblessness. These are the main factors that drive people to commit crimes.
Good governance involves the proper implementation of the law. There is a law that provides for a comprehensive law regulating the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms and ammunition. It is called Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law of Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Is it being strictly followed? How many crimes involve loose firearms?
Let us bring back good governance and decency and integrity in government. We need good governance, not guns, to solve criminality and poverty.
