LINGAYEN–The implementation of the Espino administration’s ‘shotguns-for-barangay chairmen’ appears to have been a classic case of putting the cart before the horse.

The shotguns were issued sans any established set of guidelines for the use and safekeeping of the firearm and validating qualification of the barangay officials to possess the shotguns.

This became evident after Mayor Domingo Doctor of Burgos said his initial opposition to the program was largely in the absence of established guidelines for the issuance for the firearms to the barangay chairmen.

Since the provincial board is reportedly still in the stage of finalizing the set of guidelines for the issuance and use of the firearms, this prompted him to ask Police Deputy Director General for Administration Jesus Verzosa who was the guest of honor and speaker during the PML Meeting held in Binalonan, to provide the guidelines.

After being assured of getting the guidelines from PNP, the Burgos mayor agreed to witness the distribution of the firearms to his own barangay captains at the PNP Provincial Firing Range in Lingayen

Doctor, a lawyer and former military officer, clarified in an interview in Binalonan where the Pangasinan Mayors’ League held its regular meeting, that his opposition to the distribution of shotguns was not absolute.

Among the requirements reportedly being proposed by Board Member Jeremy Rosario to be included in the set of guidelines is for the kapitans to undergo psychiatric and drug tests.

Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., in a talk to newsmen earlier in Sto. Tomas, however, was hard put in explaining why the shotguns were issued first before the guidelines could be finalized. He defended the program citing the legality of the policy of arming the barangay chairmen.

The provincial board appropriated P30 million last year for the purchase of the shotguns which were reportedly sourced abroad.

Doctor earlier criticized the absence of guidelines when Governor Amado Espino Jr. began distributing the shotguns to the province’s 1,330 barangay chairmen, and expressed fears that the use of the issued firearms might be abused.

He said the kapitans need proper training on how to handle guns, how to manage and safeguard to avoid abuse and misuse.

So far, no such seminars and training have been provided the recipients of the shotguns even after 95% of the kapitans have already been armed.

Doctor said policemen and soldiers need months of training on how to handle guns but the barangay chairmen were given only a few hours of lectures and a chance to test-fire the weapon with a few rounds.

Provincial Information Officer Butch Velasco told The PUNCH that Doctor had complained of being misquoted by media when he was reported to be adamantly opposed to the policy of arming the barangay chairmen with shotguns.

Velasco quoted Doctor as having said that he attended the distribution of shotguns to show once and for all that he supports the shotgun program.

In Alaminos, the city council headed by Vice Mayor Teolfilo Humilde Jr. supported the position taken by Mayor Hernani Braganza and passed a resolution urging the governor to donate the shotguns instead to the to the police whose men still lack firearms to fight criminals.

In Mangaldan, Mayor Herminio Romero was reportedly irked when the shotguns were issued directly to the kapitans instead of issuing these to the municipal and city mayors who supervise the barangay chairmen.

Romero lamented the absence of any consultation with mayors on how the program can best be implemented before the firearms were distributed.

The Mangaldan mayor’s sentiment about manner of issuance was also reportedly shared by many mayors who feel they have been effectively bypassed in favor of the kapitans. —LM

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments