‘This is about volunteerism not vigilantism’

CIVILIANS who want to become anti-crime volunteers and help the Philippine National Police (PNP) deter criminality on the streets won’t be provided any arms by the government, particularly by the PNP, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar assured the public on Monday.

“This is about volunteerism, not vigilantism pero walang armas na ibibigay ang gobyerno sa kanila. What is guaranteed here is that the government , the PNP in particular will not give arms to these volunteers,” the top cop told newsmen at Camp Crame.

However, Gen. Eleazar said anybody who wants to become a PNP anti-crime volunteer may be able to procure their own licensed firearms provided they are qualified to own a gun and pass a battery of tests including neuro-psychiatric examination and drug test .

These requirements are needed before a qualified Filipino gun applicant can be able to get a License to Own and Possess Firearms, a Firearm License and a Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence.

“Ang malinaw dito sa utos ni Pangulong Duterte eh walang i-isyu na baril sa mga volunteers. Kung gusto nila, bumili sila ng personal gun nila if they are qualified. Pero isipin din nating puwede naman na maging anti-crime volunteer ang isang Pilipino kahit na wala siyang baril,” the PNP chief said.

Gen. Eleazar added that as much as possible, they also don’t want to endanger the lives of their anti-crime volunteers and thus, they only want them to provide them information about suspected criminal activities in their neighborhood and in the streets and won’t encourage them to resort to so-called ‘citizen’s arrest’ when they are dealing with armed and dangerous criminals.

The PNP chief said all safeguards are already out in the proposal to arm civilian volunteers which he said would be partners of the police force in thwarting criminality.

He added that President Rodrigo Duterte had also stressed that the acts of these civilian anti-crime volunteers must be based on all existing laws.

The top cop also said they fully respect the opinion of former PNP chief-turned veteran Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson for a need to have a much effective gun control in the country.

“Lets’ leave this up to our lawmakers. We are giving them inputs but we also need to strike a balance here,” he said while adding he firmly respect the points made by Sen. Lacson since he always see the situation in the country.

The PNP chief also acknowledged the concern raised by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over President Duterte’s suggestion to arm civilian organizations saying safeguards are out to ensure it won’t lead to abuses but instead help further protect the citizenry.

“We understand the concern of the officials of the Commission on Human Rights but we assure them that the President’s suggestion is to encourage volunteerism and definitely not vigilantism,” the PNP chief said.

“Batid ng ating Pangulo at kami mismo sa PNP ang panganib na kakaharapin ng aming volunteers for standing up against criminal elements that include members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the suggestion made was aimed at ensuring their own protection—but with an assurance that they will undergo the rules and procedures for civilians to possess and carry firearms,” he explained.

Gen. Eleazar said these include securing an LTOFhich is a requirement before a civilian could buy a firearm, firearms license and the PTCFOR.

If civilians are allowed to possess and carry firearms for as long as they comply with the rules and regulations of the law and are qualified to do so, Gen. Eleazar explained that there is no reason to prevent members of civilian volunteer groups to enjoy the same privilege.

“Walang dahilan para hindi sundin ang mga patakarang ito sa pagmamay-ari ng baril ng mga sibilyan even with our efforts to enhance our relations with the community in fighting criminality, insurgency, and illegal drugs, among others,” he explained.

The CHR had pointed out that there is no need to arm civilian groups, saying that the PNP is the sole constitutionally-recognized law enforcement arm of the government and that the PNP is “more than enough.”

“We support the argument of the CHR on this case but it should also understand that we cannot let them be at the mercy of the criminal elements that we encourage them to fight alongside with us,” the PNP chief said.

“The proposal to arm them is purely for their own protection, to defend themselves and the PNP itself will not allow each and every one of them to engage in the actual fighting of criminal elements. The PNP also assures that only those who will qualify under the law may be permitted to own and possess firearms,” he added.

Gen. Eleazar explained that the President’s call to arm civilian groups might be out of his strong urge and desire to combat lawlessness in the society.

“Sa pagbibigay naman po ng mungkahi ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte, nakita ko ang masidhi at tunay niyang pagnanais na matuldukan na ang mga suliraning ito ng ating bansa, lalo na ang tungkol sa iligal na droga at ang panggugulo ng mga rebeldeng komunista,” the top cop said.

Last Friday, June 25, the PNP launched the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers, which aims to build a strong collaborative partnership with the community in support to the ongoing campaign against criminality and terrorism.

The program initiated by the PNP Directorate for Police-Community Relations headed by Major Gen. Rhodel O. Sermonia was highly-commended by the Commander-in-Chief.