CHR opposes Duterte's bid to arm anti-crime volunteers

The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday opposed the suggestion of President Rodrigo Duterte to arm civilian volunteers in fighting crime.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia cited the 1987 Constitution saying that the government shall only maintain one police force, which is national in scope and civilian in character.

“The PNP is more than enough,” De Guia said.

“Arming civilians without proper training, qualification, and clear lines of accountabilities may lead to lawlessness and proliferation of arms, which may further negatively impact the human rights situation in the country,” she added.

According to De Guia, the Philippine National Police remains as the constitutionally-recognized law enforcement arm of the government.

She added that the CHR also acknowledged that the PNP has gone through continuous development as the government gave the organization ample resources to strengthen and capacitate the police force.

“We trust that the PNP, with Police General Guillermo Eleazar at the helm, will do its best in ensuring peace and order in our communities, without compromising respect for human rights,” she said.

On Friday, the PNP launched the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers with Duterte as the keynote speaker.

The coalition is composed of civilian organizations which will serve as the police’s partner in its fight against crime and police community relations programs.

“If you have this coalition, you have a list of people who are there who can arm themselves. I will order the police if you are qualified, get a gun, and help us enforce the laws,” Duterte said.

“Don't simply make an arrest tapos wala kang...ikaw ang mamatay (and then you do not have a gun…you will be dead). You are not supposed to die. A criminal is supposed to die,” Duterte added.—Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News