Dela Rosa sees no problem with arming civilian anti-crime groups

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa  (Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who also served as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, sees no problem with arming properly supervised anti-crime civilian organizations.

“I see no problem as long as they are properly supervised,” Dela Rosa said in a message to reporters Monday.

He was asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to arm anti-crime volunteers to ensure their protection.

“It would be a big help to the [government] to have additional manpower to maintain peace and order at no additional cost to the [government],” Dela Rosa pointed out.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that civilians “have long been armed.”

He surmised that the President may be referring to the loosening rules on the licensing of firearms, in which case the law would need to be amended.

”Matagal nang armed ang civilians. Perhaps the President wants the PNP (Philippine National Police) to ease up on the licensing of firearms, well then we need to amend the law,” Sotto said.

“An EO (executive order) won’t do it,” he added.

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 on Friday.

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

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar backed Duterte’s proposal, but said anti-crime volunteers are required to secure License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF).

On the other hand, Vice President Leni Robredo, the Commission on Human Rights as well as Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, warned of abuses and consequences of arming anti-crime civilian groups.

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