JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said the prevailing peace and order situation in the country may not justify the plan to arm anti-crime volunteers.
Guevarra told reporters that pandemic restrictions and health protocols imposed by the government due to the Covid-19 pandemic since last year has brought crime rates at its lowest.
“Except for a few high-profile incidents of violence, criminality on the streets is at an all-time low, due in part to the pandemic,” Guevarra explained.
He also believes that the heightened police visibility being implemented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) is enough to protect the people.
“I believe that the PNP is strong enough to perform this duty,” he pointed out.
He, however, noted that civilians are allowed to carry firearms to protect themselves although with some safeguards in place.
“Except during the martial law period, civilians have always been free to arm themselves for their protection, provided they comply with all existing laws and regulations on the ownership, possession, and carrying of firearms outside residence, including the requirement to pass a neuro-psychiatric test,” the DOJ chief stressed.
“Allowing them to band together and act like a vigilante group, however, is a totally different matter,” he added.