Sen. Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER file photo / JAM STA. ROSA
MANILA, Philippines – The killing of a policeman on Edsa on Tuesday should challenge the police to do better in protecting the public, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.
READ: Police officer shot dead on Edsa
“Some gun owners’ groups have argued they have no choice but to bring their guns outside their houses because the police cannot protect them. This should be a challenge to the PNP, to show they can protect the public,” he said in an interview with dzMM.
Lacson also renewed his call to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly enforce the election gun ban amid reports that criminals could just change their names to get permits to bring guns.
Recalling his term as PNP chief from 1999-2001, Lacson said he put a cap on the issuance of Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence to make sure that only uniformed police and military personnel on duty could carry firearms outside their homes.
“Firearms are for self-defense against intruders and should be kept at home. Once one brings it outside his house, chances are the owner’s mindset can change and he or she can use it for offense,” Lacson stressed.
Aside from this, public perception on civilians carrying firearms should also change.
“Presently, when we see persons in civilian attire with firearms bulging from their pants, we just assume they are police or military personnel. It should be the other way around,” Lacson said
“If we see someone in civilian attire and with a firearm, we should instinctively assume the person is up to no good, and report him or her to the nearest police station,” he added. /cbb