CHR urges gov’t to assess readiness of barangay captains before arming them

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday urged the government to assess the readiness of barangay captains before proceeding with the plan to provide them with guns.

The CHR issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte spoke of allowing barangay captains to carry firearms to help curb criminality.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said, “Higit sa simpleng usapin na pagbibigay ng baril, kailangan pag-aralan ang kahandaan ng mga punong barangay na magdala at gumamit ng armas para maiwasan ang marami pang paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao sa iba’t ibang komunidad.”

“Ang ating kapulisan pa rin ang may pangunahing mandato na siguraduhing ligtas at mapayapa ang ating mga komunidad, kabilang dito ang pagdakip sa mga lumalabag sa batas,” she added.

De Guia also said while CHR understands the need to arm local officials, barangay captains are only tasked to monitor activities and implement local ordinances.

“Batid ng Komisyon ang layunin ng gobyerno na paigtingin ang kampanya laban sa illegal na droga sa ikabubuti ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” De Guia said.

“Ngunit ang tungkulin ng mga punong barangay sa law enforcement ay tumulong sa ating mga kapulisan siyasatin ang lagay sa mga barangay at magpatupad ng mga ordinansa angkop sa kanilang nasasakupan,” she added.

Earlier, at an oath-taking of newly elected barangay officials of Region VIII in Cebu, the president said he was considering of arming barangay chiefs to ensure their protection in the war against criminality.

Opposition lawmakers have already expressed their fear over Duterte’s plan, saying that this would be a “recipe for disaster.”   /vvp

READ: Arming barangay captains will be ‘recipe for disaster’ — solons

Don’t miss out on the latest news and information.