President Duterte Vows to Give ‘Free Guns’ to Public to Help Fight Crime

Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to give free guns to certain members of the public to help fight drug dealers and corruption in the country.

This past week Duterte announced he was considering handing out 42,000 guns to community leaders who would help him fulfil his promise of eradicating corruption and crime in the Philippines.

The New York Post reports: The Philippines has vowed to give free guns to members of the public — so long as they promise to use them to fight drugs and crime.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he’s considering arming 42,000 community leaders, known as barangay captains, after consulting with the police and intelligence agency.

Martin Dino, the interior department undersecretary responsible for barangays, said handguns would be provided for free, or private purchases subsidized, but only for those not involved in illegal drugs.

Dino said: “The condition is that the barangay captain should fight drugs and crime. If he is conniving with criminals, he could be the one shot.”

Duterte has repeatedly said thousands of community officials were involved in the trade, without elaborating.