By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño yesterday defended the proposal to arm barangay captains and other officials with firearms after several senators and congressmen expressed opposition.

Diño, who was in Victorias City yesterday for Anti-Drugs Summit 2018, organized by the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee, said barangay captains are entitled to the possession and carrying of a firearm within their jurisdiction.

He cited RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, Chapter 3, Section 389 (15b), which states, “In the performance of his peace and order functions, the punong barangay shall be entitled to possess and carry the necessary firearm within his territorial jurisdiction, subject to appropriate rules and regulations.”

The DILG official, however, clarified only barangay officials who are aggressively involved in fighting illegal drugs in their community will be allowed to carry firearms. Those allegedly linked with illegal drugs will not be permitted and will be removed from office if the allegations are proven true.

Diño also said it was “clear” senators and congressman have forgotten what is in the local government code and instead chose to criticize President Rodrigo Duterte, one of whom claimed the policy would turn the Philippines into the “wild, wild west.”

Earlier, Duterte proposed arming barangay officials with 9mm pistols or 12-gauge shotguns, which was also supported by Bacolod City Police Office director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo.

Ebreo explained barangay officials and tanods are the first responders in their respective communities and called it “dangerous” for officials to respond to a crime in progress unarmed./DGB, WDJ