Drilon doubts Senate will back Duterte proposal to arm anti-crime volunteers

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon does not see the Senate supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to arm anti-crime civilian groups.

Drilon, who was among those who earlier rejected a proposal to arm firemen in the proposed Bureau of Fire Modernization Bill, said that he will personally oppose the proposal to arm anti-crime civilian groups once it reaches the upper chamber.

“We will oppose it. Given the Senate’s strong opposition to the proposal to arm firefighters, I don’t see the Senate will support the proposal to arm civilian organization,” Drilon said in a statement on Monday.

According to Drilon, it is good governance, and not guns, that will solve the problem with criminality and poverty in the country.

“More guns do not make a country safe. More guns will not solve poverty and hunger. More guns will not bring back lost jobs. More guns will not bring back investor’s confidence,” Drilon said.

“What the government needs to do is to bring back good governance to address the causes of criminality which are poverty, hunger and joblessness. These are the main factors that drive people to commit crimes,” he added.

Further, Drilon said that the proposal only proves that the government is failing to do its duty to protect and provide security to its citizens.

“The increasing incidence of crime in the country that involved a firearm is already a cause of concern. The proposal carries a high risk that guns may fall in the wrong hands and, therefore, only exacerbate criminality,” Drilon said.

Moreover, the Senate minority leader said that the government needs to properly address the roots of criminality in the country which is poverty, hunger, and joblessness of Filipinos. — Sofia Vertucio, Inquirer trainee

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JPV