POLICE officers should carry guns and conceal them even when off-duty and in civilian clothes, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said Friday during an accounting of personnel at Camp Karingal in Quezon City.
“When you’re in civilian [outfit], hide your guns properly. Don’t put them out when in civilian [clothes]. You will be admonished. I will scold you if your guns are displayed. Hide it well. That’s what we call concealed carry,” Dela Rosa said as he scolded the cops who didn’t bring their firearms with them.
He said the guns should be hidden when, for instance, a hold-up was happening in front of them.
“How will you react [without a gun]? If that’s a shootout, you’ll punch it out? If hold-uppers have guns, do you want a fistfight instead? Karate? Judo?” the PNP chief said.
Concealed carrying of firearms would not violate any laws, Dela Rosa said.
“They are policemen 24/7. They should just avoid displaying and pointing their guns [at people]—that’s a violation. But if they bring the guns as a concealed carry, it’s not [a violation],” he said.
Even retiring policemen should have a gun issued to them, Dela Rosa said, as President Rodrigo Duterte “doesn’t want to see a cop that doesn’t holster a gun.”
“[Duterte] said, why did you become policemen if you’re not willing to fight, not willing to shoot it out? What kind of cops are you?” he said.
According to Dela Rosa, most of the PNP’s accomplishments involved cops “who were off-duty and were able to foil crimes as they were carrying firearms with them.”
The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act No. 10591 states that when the “agency-prescribed” uniform “does not include a holster,” or for those authorized to carry firearms outside their residences or official stations while in civilian attire, the firearms shall be concealed “unless actually used for legitimate purpose.”
Violation of this provision is subject for immediate revocation of the License to Own and Possess Firearms and Firearm Registration, RA 10591 adds.
Policemen wearing agency-prescribed uniforms are required to place their firearms in a holster securely attached to the belt.
“You are a policeman 24/7 whether you like it or not. You are cops every minute of the day, every hour of the day. That’s why you must be ready to respond to any emergency when needed. How will you respond [to crimes] if you don’t have a gun?” Dela Rosa added.