Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday, June 27 thumbed down President Duterte’s proposal to arm civilians, saying stricter gun control, including stringent issuance or even suspension of firearm permits would be a better solution to stopping criminality in the Philippines.
Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, warned that issuing firearms to anti-crime “volunteers” to help enforce the law may result in even more crimes, especially if this is abused.
“Arming civilians to fight criminality could backfire, especially if they don't have the proper training and mindset,” Lacson said.
“In the United States, there have been so many fatal shootings due to loose firearm laws," he stressed.
The senator said the shooting incidents involving policemen not on duty—such as Jonel Nuezca in December 2020, and Hensie Zinampan earlier this year—should serve as a valuable lesson to the government
“That is why I had suggested as a policy recommendation that policemen should turn in their issued firearms to their units' armorer or supply officer when on off-duty status, and should not be issued Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residences (PTCFORs) while still in the active service,” he pointed out.
“If our law enforcers who are supposed to be trained are prone to lapses, how much more in the case of untrained civilians?" Lacson added.
When he was PNP Chief, Lacson pointed out he limited the issuance of PTCFORs to those who pass requirements such as gun safety seminars, practical and neuro-psychiatric tests, and most importantly, personal appearance of the applicants.
“My idea was—after much-improved law enforcement and peace and order—the only ones authorized to carry firearms outside their residences are uniformed police and military personnel on official mission,” he explained.
“Anybody, including PNP officers not in police uniform, must be assumed to have criminal intent and apprehended on the spot,” he pointed out.
“It’s time the public developed a different mindset and assumption on people seen carrying firearms,” Lacson said.
In other territories like Hong Kong, the senator pointed out people automatically report to police civilian or persons in civilian attire who are carrying firearms.
Lacson maintained that firearms should only be for self-defense against intruders and should be kept at home.