PRO-6: Arming ‘kaps’ OK but…

ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to arm barangay captains.

But the village chiefs should be responsible gun holders, said Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional police director.

Before arming the barangay captains, they should undergo proper gun training, he stressed.

Duterte proposed arming barangay captains, citing the “quite a bit alarming” crime situation in villages during the mass oath-taking of newly elected barangay officials of Central Visayas last week in Cebu.

“The President is serious in his campaign against crimes and illegal drugs. Some barangay officials active in these campaigns have been killed,” said Bulalacao.

The basic gun handling training for barangay captains should also include an orientation on the responsibilities that come with having a firearm like securing a gun license and a permit to carry outside of residence, among others, added Bulalacao.

“Kasi baka gamitin nila sa hindi wastong paraan,” he explained.

Bulalacao also expressed concern that armed barangay captains would abuse their authority or worse, become a private army.

“If it’s a matter of security, then I can maybe provide you with the firearm, but that has to be discussed. I cannot, I will not decide it on my own. It’s not good,” Duterte told Central Visayas barangay captains on June 7.

According to Bulalacao, civilians and barangay officials under threat may carry guns but subject to the provisions of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Meanwhile, Magdalo party-list’s Cong. Gary Alejano, a Negrense, suggested that the government instead focus on providing the police force with right equipment and training.

“Kulang na kulang pa rin ang ating mga kapulisan hanggang ngayon. Kahit nga may training ang ating mga pulis nagkakaproblema pa, lalo na kung ‘yung wala o limitado ang karanasan at pagsasanay ng mga opisyales ng barangay,” he said.

Alejano added: “Mahigit 300 thousand lahat ito kung kasama ang mga kagawad sa buong bansa. This will have an effect of militarizing the whole country and with the same mindset of killing now, we could expect that the whole country would become a killing field.”/PN