Sen. Panfilo Lacson on May 10, 2021 interview with INQUIRER.net. (Photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Arming the member of civilian anti-crime groups could “backfire” and lead to abuse, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Sunday during the “Balitaan sa Maynila” online forum.
President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned the idea on Friday during the launch of the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers in Camp Crame. The coalition is composed of civilian organizations that will serve as partners of the police in fighting crime.
Vice President Leni Robredo and the Commission on Human Rights also criticized the idea, warning of possible abuse.
“Arming civilians to fight criminality could backfire, especially if they don’t have the proper training and mindset,” Lacson said. “In the United States, there have been so many fatal shootings due to loose firearm laws.”
Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the anti-crime volunteers would have to follow rules and procedures, particularly securing a license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) and a permits to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFORs).
Lacson, who served as a PNP chief from 1999 to 2001, recalled that the PNP, under his leadership, limited the issuance of PTCFORs to those who had satisfied requirements such as gun safety seminars, practical and neuro-psychiatric tests, and most importantly, personal appearance of the applicants.
The senator also believes that only uniformed police and military personnel on official missions should carry firearms outside their residences.
“Anybody, including PNP officers not in police uniform, must be assumed to have criminal intent and apprehended on the spot,” he said. “It’s time the public developed a different mindset and assumption on people seen carrying firearms.”
“The shooting incidents involving policemen not on duty — such as Jonel Nuezca in December 2020, and Hensie Zinampan earlier this year — should serve as a valuable lesson to us,” he added.