By Genalyn D. Kabiling
President Duterte is considering arming Filipinos if the national security situation deteriorates due to the threat posed by the Islamic State.
The President made the proposal after expressing concern that Islamic State-linked organizations might simultaneously attack places in Luzon and Visayas.
“Ang ako man lang worry is that they are really out, dispersed in the Visayas and maybe sa Luzon. And kung tanungin ko lang kayo, what if they do again a Marawi thing and it is done on several cities at the same time? So diyan ako kabado. Kaya mahirapan tayo,” Duterte said during his visit to Cebu City last Tuesday.
“If the situation deteriorates, then I would allow the ownership of high-powered guns kung meron kayo but a shotgun will do to defend yourself,” he added.
The President had earlier restricted the sale of high-powered guns in the country, saying only the military and police would be allowed to buy such heavy weapons. The President’s gun control measure aims prevent high-powered weapons from falling into enemy hands.
In his remarks last Tuesday, the President admitted that the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless organizations have “been contaminated” and have “pledged allegiance” to the ISIS.
“So ISIS na gyud na sila (So they are really ISIS now) and ako naman pud (On my part), I’m worried about what’s going to happen. It has happened in Marawi,” he said.
The President, however, remains confident that the government could beat the terrorists given its defense and security forces.
“We’ll not lose the battle nor the war but medyo…medyo magulo lang kasi itong ISIS is walang hiya. Mura gyud og mga animal (but it will be chaotic because the ISIS is ruthless. They’re like animals),” he said.
“Pero do not worry, we are really far superior in number,” he said, citing the country’s capable military and police forces.
