Duterte to unleash armed civilians in barangay-based war vs. drug dealers

Presumptive president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will field armed civilian auxilliaries in the country's barangays to go after drug pushers if he's not satisfied with the efforts of existing law enforcement agencies.

"I will recruit people. SCAA (special civilian active auxilliaries). Parang CHDF (civilian home defense force) sa pulis," Duterte said in a news conference as he outlined his plan to crack down on illegal drugs in the country.

Duterte said armed civilians would have to have minimum gun-handling and law enforcement training because they would be given guns to go after drug suspects.

"Only those who completed ROTC at may neuro (satisfactory neurological examinations) because pahawakan ko ng baril," Duterte said.

"Those already ex-soldiers, or have retired... yun yan sila  who has had at least the barest minimum of gun handling and law enformcement," he added.

Duterte said the armed civilians would be under the supervision of the barangay capatain but "administratively, they have to report to the precinct commander or station commander."

He indicated that drug lords and pushers have guns and those going after them should be armed as well. —NB, GMA News