Duterte under fire for plan to arm civilians to fight crime

MANILA: President Rodrigo Duterte has come under heavy criticism for his plan to arm civilian volunteers in the fight against criminality, with government officials and other concerned groups warning this could lead to abuse and human rights violations already rampant in the ongoing bloody and violent war on illegal drugs.

One of the first to react was the Commission on Human Rights ( CHR) which pointed out the controversial proposal could result in the proliferation of firearms and rampant human rights violations — problems that have been hounding the Duterte administration particularly in the war on drugs.

“Arming civilians without proper training, qualification and clear lines of accountabilities may lead to lawlessness and proliferation of arm, which may negatively impact on the human rights situation in the country,” lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, the CHR spokesman pointed out.

Joining De Guia was Vice President Leni Robredo who opposed the proposal which she called “very dangerous” and “ineffective.” In her weekly radio programme on Sunday. she warned: “Let’s learn lessons from the past...there are a lot of problems that can be resolved without arms. For me, carrying a firearm is a huge responsibility, a huge accountability.”

Duterte aired the proposal during the launching of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy support groups and force multipliers that would include the arming of civilian volunteers.

“If you have this coalition, you have a list of people who are there who can arm themselves,” Duterte said. “I will order the police if you are qualified to get a gun and help enforce the laws.”

Ironically, the PNP has repeatedly reported that that there has been a significant drop in the country’s crime statistics with the arrest of suspects due to the community quarantines or lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

On the other hand Senator Panfilo Lacson, who served as the PNP chief from 1999 to 2001, also opposed the proposal, emphasising that what the country needs instead is stricter gun control.