Press Release
August 29, 2008

GORDON CAUTIONS GOVERNMENT ON THE ARMING OF CIVILIANS

Senator Richard Gordon has cautioned the government on allowing the arming of civilians in Mindanao amid the ongoing conflict between government troops and the MILF.

Gordon said that while it is understandable if civilians choose to arm themselves, he stressed that firearms should only be used as a tool for self-defense.

"It is understandable if the government has allowed citizens to have firearms in their homes and use them for self-defense. However, the government should be cautious in allowing the use of these firearms. We want to resolve the conflict in Mindanao , not to worsen it," Gordon said.

Gordon explained that a set of criteria should be followed in allowing the arming of civilians. First, having a permit-to-carry firearm does not justify the use of guns unless in extreme cases when there is an urgent need to defend oneself; second, there should be transparency as to the people who are allowed to use firearms; and third, an organization of armed civilians should be formed under the direct training and supervision of the Philippine National Police.

Gordon emphasized that while everyone wants to protect themselves during times of conflict, it is important to abide by the International Humanitarian Law.

"We are famous in this continent for being the first democracy in Asia . And in reality when you start thinking about that, there is that responsibility to see to it that we remain a nation that is a humanitarian nation," he said.

"Even wars have rules, wars have limits. You cannot just torture anybody. You cannot just kill anybody just because he belongs to the enemy. When people are disqualified from war simply because they are not players, like civilians who are unarmed, or the wounded, and those who succor to the wounded, they must be protected and must not be deprived of providing succor or assistance when others are wounded. We must take it at heart what the International Humanitarian Law truly signifies," Gordon said.

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