Stricter gun rules, enhanced cop training rather than armed anti-crime groups — Pimentel

MANILA, Philippines — Instead of arming civilian anti-crime groups, rules on gun ownership should be tightened and foreign police services should be allowed to visit the country to better train Philippine National Police (PNP) in fighting, solving and preventing crimes, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Monday.

“Allow reputable experienced foreign police services to visit our PNP under a Visiting Police Forces Agreement so that our PNP can learn from them about crime fighting, solving, and prevention, etc,” Pimentel, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said.

Pimentel issued the suggestion when asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to arm anti-crime volunteers to ensure their protection.

Duterte had floated the idea of arming anti-crime civilian organizations during the launch of the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers in Camp Crame last Friday.

It is a coalition of civilian organizations which will serve as the police’s partner in its fight against crime.

“On the contrary, rules on gun ownership must be made stricter,” Pimentel said.

Further, he added that laws against unlicensed firearms must be “strictly enforced.”

“Train the police better. Hire more policemen if necessary,” he also said.

Concerns have been raised over Duterte’s proposal, including those from Vice President Leni Robredo, the Commission on Human Rights as well as Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief.

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