Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lower street crime rates, a situation that the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies can effectively handle. Guevarra made the statement even as he admitted that civilians have been allowed to carry firearms to protect themselves for as long as they comply with the existing laws and regulations governing ownership, possession and carrying of firearms outside residence.
In fact, civilians have been given permission to bear arms to protect themselves, with the proper safeguards, he said.
“Except during the martial law period, civilians have always been free to arm themselves for their protection, provided they comply with all existing laws and regulations on the ownership, possession, and carrying of firearms outside residence, including the requirement to pass a neuro-psychiatric test,” Guevarra said.
“Allowing them to band together and act like a vigilante group, however, is a totally different matter,” he added.
The Justice Secretary said it is no longer necessary to arm the anti-crime volunteers because there had been fewer reported street crimes in the country due to the restrictions and safety protocols being enforced as precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The presence of the PNP personnel is enough to protect the people. “I believe that the PNP is strong enough to perform this duty,” he said.
For its part, the PNP said it would not hand out firearms to civilians.
Civilians are allowed to carry firearms once they have secured a license, said PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
The Commission on Human Rights had earlier warned that “arming civilians without proper training, qualification, and clear lines of accountabilities” may negatively impact on human rights in the country.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was PNP chief from 1999 to 2001, said that instead of arming civilians, stricter gun control laws should be implemented to curb criminality.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the law on gun ownership must be made stricter. He said the laws against unlicensed firearms must be strictly enforced
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, sees no problem in arming policemen as long as they are properly supervised.
