DOJ chief: No need for vigilante groups

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra sees no need to arm civilian volunteers to help police deter crimes, saying the proposal will allow civilians to band together and act as vigilantes.

Guevarra believes that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is capable of protecting the public from criminals and other lawless groups.

“I think the PNP is strong enough to perform its duties,” Guevarra said yesterday.

He pointed out that civilians may possess guns provided they comply with the laws and regulations on the possession and carrying of firearms outside of residence, and pass the necessary requirements including neuro-pscyhiatric test.

“Except during the martial law period, civilians have been allowed to arm themselves for protection. But allowing civilians to band together and act like vigilantes is a totally different matter,” Guevarra said.

He added that the number of street crimes nationwide dropped during the pandemic because of quarantine restrictions imposed by authorities.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said there is no reason to prevent anti-crime volunteers from enjoying the privilege to own firearms like lawmakers.

Eleazar made the statement after some lawmakers expressed concern over President Duterte’s proposal to arm civilian volunteers.

“What is the difference between a lawmaker and a volunteer or ordinary citizen who wants to avail himself of the privilege to own a gun as long as he is qualified>” Eleazar said in an interview on Teleradyo.

He said even journalists and police officers have their own personal firearms for their protection.

Among the lawmakers opposing the proposal is former PNP chief and now Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who said arming civilians could backfire, especially if they do not have the proper training.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the proposal is risky as firearms may fall into the wrong hands.

Sen. Leila de Lima questioned the government’s intention to arm civilians who have no sworn duty to protect the people.

De Lima said it is difficult enough making police follow the law without adding civilians to the problem. “How many times have we seen abusive police killed innocent victims? How many trigger-happy cops are casually shooting people?”

Eleazar clarified that the PNP would not supply anti-crime groups with
firearms as their members need to buy their own guns.

Civilian volunteers should also undergo gun control training before they can obtain a license to own and possess firearms outside of residence, he said.

Militant lawmakers in the House of Representatives said the President’s proposal to arm civilian volunteers would perpetuate extrajudicial killings.

“If this is allowed, incidents involving gun abuse such as the deaths of Jonel Nuezca in December 2020 and Hensie Zinampan this year would increase. This will only worsen the already discredited but bloody ‘nanlaban’ claim of the police,” Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro echoed Zarate’s statement, saying the proposal would “only allow more crimes to happen.”

“There have been a number of cases of gun abuse caught on video by uniformed personnel. You cannot solve the problem by allowing more guns in the streets. It will only make our streets more dangerous than it already is,” Castro pointed out.

The lawmakers said the government should instead focus on pandemic response programs.

“What the people need now are vaccines and ayuda, not more guns and rights violations. This kind of mindset will only make the streets more dangerous because this will usher a rise in extrajudicial killings and vigilantism,” Zarate said. – Emmanuel Tupas, Edu Punay, Cecille Suerte Felipe