DCPO considering issuance of guns to auxiliary cops

DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) director S/ Supt. Alexander Tagum has considered the recommendation of City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to issue at least one long firearm to every team of the 910 volunteer police auxiliary in the city.

DCPO spokesperson police Sr. Insp. Maria Teresita Gaspan said on Tuesday, May 23, that the city mayor wants to provide guns to the auxiliary police to protect themselves and other people during crucial situations.

Gaspan said there is still no official release date of the guns yet since the city mayor is currently prioritizing other urgent matters.

“Of course, before we hand them firearms, they had to do a marksmanship or gun handling training to see if we can already consider their capacity in handling guns,” she said.

Since an auxiliary volunteer’s core duty is to only assist the police officers in conducting patrols, traffic controls, and disaster response, Gaspan said the use of gun by the auxiliary is limited.

“They will not be assigned on police operations or deadly encounters. Thus, we are expecting all of them to use the guns wisely,” she said.

Meanwhile, the volunteer auxiliary police in the city currently carry handcuffs, a flashlight, and a baton for enforcements of city ordinances like the Comprehensive AntiSmoking Ordinance. BSC