Senator Bato Dela Rosa Defends Need of Cops to Carry Service Firearms When Not on Duty
Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa justified the need of the police officers to carry their service firearms 24/7.
On Wednesday (December 23, 3030), the former chief of the Philippine National Police insist that cops need to carry service firearms even off-duty to protect themselves and their family from any threat.
Dela Rosa’s statement came after Senator Panfilo Lacson proposed a policy requiring police officers to turn over their service firearms to the armory during off-duty hours. He said that cops should be ready at all times.
“You are a policeman 24 hours, so you should be ready to respond. To be able to respond, dapat kumpleto ka, may armas ka. ‘Yan ang rationale behind sa policy ni President [Rodrigo] Duterte,” Dela Rosa said.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go backed Dela Rosa’s statement and reiterated that unarmed policemen are vulnerable to ambush attacks. Go also said that Preside Rodrigo Dutrerte allowed cops carry their service firearms in public places.
However the former president’s top aide reminded the cops not to use their pistols to abuse or intimidate civilians but rather use it to protect themselves and respond to crimes.
“Pinayagan nga sila ni Pangulong Duterte na magdala ng armas dahil marami pong mga pulis natin na walang kalaban-laban na-a-ambush po, minsan pag sumakay sila sa pampublikong sasakyan, eh, may mga lugar na rebelde ay sila po ‘yung walang kalaban-laban na binabaril,” Go added.
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