CCPO says no to disarming off-duty cops, ‘too risky’

CEBU, Philippines — Officials of Cebu City Police Office have expressed disagreement to Senator Panfilo Lacson's recommendation to require police personnel to turn over issued firearms to their supply officer when they are on off-duty status.

CCPO deputy director for operations, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, said it might put the life of the police personnel at risk while they were in their off-duty.

Lacson’s recommen-dation came after an off-duty policeman in Tarlac was caught on video shooting two of his neighbors in the middle of an argument.

"Dili na advisable kay tungod lang anang usa ka panghitabo, iapil ang tanan, bisan baya og wala ka mo-duty ug naa kay respondehan, mo-react baya dayun kay nya og wala kay dalang armas, mag-unsa man ka?" said Parilla.

Parilla stressed that a police personnel remains a member of the Philippine National Police anywhere even if off-duty.

He, however, added that a cop must be reminded when to use their service firearm and not in their personal consumption.

"Kay kanang imong mga nadakpan, kanang mga kriminal makahibawo na na ron, kini kay off ni siya ron, wala ni siyay dalang pusil, bunalan ta ni, wala na, wala jud kay ikasukol," said Parilla.

For his part, CCPO director, Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, also said the recommendation may not be a good idea saying an “off-duty policeman is still a policeman”.

"Kung unsa ng insidenteha ug serious nga insidente nga nagkahinahanglan og force unsa may igamit sa mga police?" said Ligan.

Ligan said they are taking care of their police personnel's mental health over their everyday police information and education wherein every station commander will be having the chance to talk with their members.

"Aside from that, naa pa gyud tay pre-deployment briefing, so wala jud ta magkulang in terms of operational procedures to remind our people na mao na atong tahas everyday," said Ligan. —GMR (FREEMAN)