Arming civilians in the government’s anti-crime drive could legitimize “vigilantes and private armies” and it’s a “reincarnation of the Davao Death Squad,” opposition coalition 1Sambayan said on Wednesday, June 30.

In a statement, the pro-democracy group criticized the idea of President Duterte to allow civilian group and anti-crime volunteers to carry firearms to help police fight crimes.

“The initiative of the President to arm civians is dangerous. It reveals the failure of his administration to fight criminality, on top of EJK (extrajudicial killings) and the recent killings of unarmed civilians,” 1Sambayan said.

“Is this group any different from the private armies of warlords?,” the opposition coalition asked.

Last June 25, Duterte said he was open to issuing firearms to the members of the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers, which was launched on the same day in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

It should be the criminals who must die, the Chief Executive stressed.

READ: 'The criminal must die, you must live': Duterte backs arming of anti-crime volunteers

The newly formed coalition is composed of volunteer barangay watchmen, environmentalists, riders and motorists, and the religious sector, among others.

1Sambayan opposed Duterte’s bid to arm the anti-crime civilian group because this has “no clear structure, no legal basis, and no identified leaders who can be made accountable” for possible violation of laws.

Instead of firearms, the group said the people need “better governance” from their leaders.

“Our people need food to address hunger, jobs to address poverty, and the observance to the rule of law to address criminality,” it pointed out.

1Sambayan is a broad coalition that represents different democratic forces, parties, and sectors. Among its convenors are retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, ex-Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario.