Reject arming of barangay kapitans

LAST week, Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Federation president and Board Member Jinky Zaplan mentioned a planned request of the barangay chairmen to be granted permission to bear arms for their protection in view of the recent killings of their colleagues.

The planned request falls flat on its face being incognizant of implications of declarations of President Duterte about elective officials, particularly barangay officials: that they are not a special class of people being public servants, and that thousands of barangay kapitans have been verified to be involved in the illegal drug trade.

So, before the Liga thinks of pursuing its request, it would serve public interest first if they account for their individual compliance with the resolution filed by Ms. Zaplan in the provincial board, directing them to take the drug tests to prove initially that they are not drug users. The fact that some of the barangay chairmen were killed being drug suspects (as users, pushers or protectors) is more than enough reason for the Pangasinan police to reject the request.

We vehemently objected to the issuance of shotguns by the Espino administration in 2007 because of the potential abuses and misuse of the firearms in the hands of the barangay chiefs. The feared abuses were later validated by the police and it was enough to prompt the seizure of the issued shotguns before the 2013 elections.

Again, we join the citizens in vigorously opposing plans of their kapitans to be armed anew.

 

Martial law hoax

PRESIDENT Duterte loves to say he may yet declare martial law.  Each time he does that, his political foes would quickly raise hell.  Knee-jerk reaction, we call it.  But even before the howling could die down, the President would say, “I will never declare martial law.”  And, each time he says that, the President’s enemies’ lips are sealed.  Two questions: 1) Can Mr. Duterte declare martial law?  Yes. But for it to take effect, both the Congress and Supreme Court must say yes to the President’s martial law spin.  2)  Will Mr. Duterte declare martial law?  No.  Because it will be unconstitutional since foreign invasion or rebellion are the main ingredients to justify the declaration of martial law.  In short, the President’s martial law posturing is but empty talk.  At most, empty threats. Always, action speaks louder than words.  So, what’s the buzz?

 

Who needs martial law, anyway?

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