Zambo City Council supports plan to arm barangay officials

Rizal Plaza and City Hall of Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY–The City Council has expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to arm barangay officials.

In a resolution authored by Councilor Juan Climaco Elago II, the City Council said barangay officials, including tanods (village watchmen), should be armed to better respond to peace and order concerns. It was approved during the City Council’s regular session on Tuesday.

Elago, however, said that the barangay officials should only be authorized to carry firearms within their respective villages.

“They are the front-line responders. If there are terrorists in their barangays, how can they respond if they don’t have firearms?” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on June 8 said during a mass oath taking of elected village officials in the Visayas that he is considering arming the barangay officials to make them more effective as peacekeepers.

Local Government Sec. Eduardo Año has also said barangay officials need protection from threats they encounter in the performance of their duties.

Año said the issuance of license should be free as the firearms are government-owned, and must be returned by the barangay officials at the end of their term. (R. G. Antonet Go/PNA)

Popular

Taal Lake site assessment yields sack containing ‘bones’ — DOJ

By Brian Campued The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that authorities retrieved a sack containing burned remains believed to be human bones during the initial...

LTO integrates online driver’s license renewal system in eGovPH app

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has integrated the online driver’s license renewal in the eGovPH app, which ensures a fast and...

5 of 21 Filipinos in Houthi-hit ship in Red Sea rescued — DFA

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency Five of the 21 Filipino seafarers manning the cargo vessel Eternity C, which...

PBBM directs gov’t officials: Focus on work, avoid politicking

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet At the Malacañang press briefing this Wednesday, July 9, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press officer Claire Castro reiterated...