Duterte OK with arming state prosecutors

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is open to issuing firearms to state prosecutors to protect themselves.

Duterte, himself a former prosecutor, made the announcement during the 31st Annual Convention of Prosecutors League of the Philippines in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

“I am ready for any suggestion. Options all are on the table. Anong gusto ninyo? Baril? I will allow it,” Duterte said.

During his speech, the President also recalled his days as a prosecutor in Davao City.

He claimed that his house was strafed and that he understood how tough and dangerous it was to be a prosecutor.

“I suffered a strafing of my house, JIs, and the all sorts of the wife of — the wife and the children in a photograph sent to you. Those were the things that they wanted to do either coming from all sources. And profile — profiling the targets, not them. So alam ko kung gaano kahirap,” he said.

The President even asked prosecutors not to get a caliber.45, but Glock 19 since its bullet rarely jams and is almost maintenance-free.

Last year, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra pushed for the arming of state prosecutors.

According to Guevarra, allowing them to carry firearms would boost law enforcement in the country. / gsg

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