BY IME SORNITO & RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO – Some barangay officials in the city and province of Iloilo said they do not need to carry firearms to ensure their safety.
There have been calls to arm government officials down to the barangays following the series of killings of elected officials; the most recent was the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
Barangay Captain Joel Alvarado of Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City said barangay officials with government-issued firearms must be responsible enough and use these for their protection only.
“Indi kay gamiton para sa indi maayo or pamahog sa mga pumuluyo nga kung ano ang iya gusto matuman. Gamiton ini para sa proteksyon sa kaugalingon,” said Alvarado.
Despite his barangay’s notoriety for illegal drugs, Alvarado said, “Sa kaluoy sang mahal nga Diyos daw wala pa man kita sang threat gid nga nabaton halin sa mga ilegalista.”
Barangay Captain Ludovico Alfaro of Ungka I, Pavia town said he is in favor of arming barangay officials as long as they are responsible gun holders.
Barangay captains are allowed to carry firearms under the Local Government Code, but it is clear in the guidelines that they should not abuse it.
Part of their job, Alfaro added, is to keep the barangay peaceful and orderly, and they will inevitably offend others in line of duty.
“Dapat responsible sia nga gun holder kay, ti, ara man sa aton Local Government Code nga puede ka-possess ang punong barangays basta ginasunod ang process and laye regarding sa handling ka armas,” said Alfaro.
The Ungka I barangay captain said he receive threats at the height of the campaign against illegal drugs during the administration of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
With his strict implementation of the campaign, he also doubled his security measures.
Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Ramon S. Amoroso Sr. of Q. Abeto-Mirasol, Mandurriao said it is better not to carry a firearm as some cannot control their temper and easily take advantage of their position.
“Manami man na ‘tani kung hatagan nila armas ang mga kapitan pero kung dungol nga kapitan basi maski sin-o lang tiruhon niya ‘na. Gadaku pa gid ila ulo ‘na,” said Amoroso.
According to Barangay Captain Noel Gruy of Barangay Pal-agon, Pavia, he doesn’t need a firearm because he doesn’t have grave threats.
“Sa akon no need naman kay tawhay sa amon barangay,” Gruy told Panay News.
He said his barangay is small, everyone knows everyone, and residents respect his leadership. In the event of a fight or conflict, he said, settlement is easily achieved.
Gruy also said their barangay is not an election hotspot.
If a person is permitted to carry a firearm, he could use it for the wrong reasons, added Gruy.
But, in case there is a serious threat to his life, he will ask for permission from the Philippine National Police or the concerned national government agency to carry a firearm to protect himself and his family.
“Kung may threat ako ‘ya, pabor ako nga may armas. Pero kon sa mga amo ‘ni nga sitwasyon, pareho sa amon barangay nga malinong daw indi man kinahanglan,” he added.
Meanwhile, barangay captain Julieta Mantilla of Ungka II, Pavia is not in favor of this.
“Kon daw wala man lang sang rason indi ako gusto sina,” said Mantilla.
For Mantilla, the situation in the barangay is different compared to the municipal and provincial levels because of the wider area of jurisdiction.
A barangay captain, according to her, knows his residents and can determine whether or not there is a possibility of crime in their area.
“Depende man siguro sa nagapungko. Kon may threat, ti, dapat gid man nga depensahan nila ang ila kaugalingon,” added Mantilla.
The barangay captain also said she does not have any threat; the most she gets are disputes during elections./PN
