LINGAYEN– After the barangay kapitans got their free shotguns from the provincial government, now the barangay kagawads (village councilors) want theirs too!

But the provincial board members initially denied the request of barangay councilmen of Malindong, Binmaley town and directed the provincial legal officer to submit a position on the issue.

Board Member Bince Jr, a lawyer, vehemently opposed the request forwarded when the letter request was discussed in the provincial board session Monday.

The resolution of the barangay council, endorsed by the barangay chairman and addressed to Governor Amado Espino Jr. and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, requested authority and privilege to allow the barangay kagawads to hold, possess and carry the shotgun issued to the Barangay Chairman of Barangay Malindong, Binmaley “in the performance of their duties and functions particularly in the maintenance of peace and order”.

The resolution was not endorsed by Binmaley Mayor Simplicio Rosario.

“The law is very clear. Under Republic Act 7160, it is only the punong barangay (barangay chairman) who is entitled to possess and carry firearms subject to rules and regulations,” Bince said.

He urged his fellow board members “to come up with a definite decision as the shotgun issue is a volatile and explosive issue which is now a hot potato in the province”.

The board members were warned that if the request of the barangay in Binmaley is granted, all barangays would demand the same.

Two months after the first set of shotguns were distributed, the provincial government still has not issued the set of guidelines for the use of the shotguns by the barangay chairmen.

In the resolution, the barangay officials led by Barangay Captain Arsenio Merrera cited the role that barangay kagawads perform regularly as heads of night patrols, assisted by barangay tanods, for maintenance of peace and order.

It added that while the barangay kapitan performs supervisory and administrative functions and control over the barangay council officials, he also delegates his duties of maintaining peace and order particularly at nighttime to kagawads/tanods particularly during social public events in the barangay like public dances, wakes, meetings, etc.

The resolution also cited the willingness of kagawads (and tanods) to undergo training/seminar regarding the usage and safekeeping of the shotguns.

The provincial legal officer shall issue a reply to the said request, citing legal concerns, based on the decision of the board members.

The free shotguns program for the barangay kapitans made possible by a P30 million allocation as “financial assistance” to the barangay chairmen for the “maintenance of peace and order”, was heavily criticized in media and by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza.–#

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