Capitol issues shotguns to barangay chairmen
A FIRST IN THE COUNTRY
LINGAYEN–Barangay chairmen are now armed. And hopefully, not dangerous.
The provincial government started handing out pump shotguns to the barangay chiefs last week as part of efforts to maintain peace and order in the province’s remote barangays.
“This is not for offense but for defense…the intention here is good,” said Governor Amado Espino Jr., a retired police colonel who served as provincial director of Pangasinan and regional director of Region 1.
Some P30 million has been allocated in the provincial budget for the purchase of the firearms and bullets that will be distributed to the province’s 1,333 barangay chairmen within the next two weeks.
First to receive their shotguns were chiefs here in the capital and in the towns of Binmaley and Bugallon.
The move was initiated through a resolution proposed by Board Member Amadeo Espino, brother of the governor and the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Pangasinan.
“They (barangay captains) kept on complaining to me that they only have a night stick for patrolling,” said Espino.
The guns are licensed under the provincial government and corresponding memorandum receipts will be issued to each barangay chairman who shall then be held liable for its use or misuse.
“These firearms are not for abuse, should not be used to sow terror but to protect your barangay,” the governor told the recipients.
Hand-held radios linked with the police authorities will also be issued to the barangay leaders by the end of the year to complement the use of the firearms in reporting untoward incidents.
Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez, police provincial director, said the issuance of firearms to barangay leaders will be a big help to their anti-criminality campaign.
The barangay chairmen were given a cursory marksmanship and familiarization training by police officers at the firing range in the police provincial office here before they were issued the shotguns.
Town police chiefs will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the condition of the shotguns and the conduct of continued training to the barangay chairmen.#
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