Gun-toting lawmakers, anyone?

I got a call from a friend last Saturday who told me about the burning issue in Bayawan City. The councilors of Bayawan have appropriated some of the town's resources to buy at least nine 9-millimeter guns.

No, these aren't for the police or CAFGU or some law enforcement unit. These guns are to be used "in aid of legislation." In other words, the Bayawan councilors will be going around the city with bulging waistlines or nice leather handbags.

The honorable councilors say these 9-millimeter pistols are necessary, given the worsening peace and order condition in the countryside.

Reports say the Provincial Attorney has approved the purchase of these guns, saying this purchase is legal, and within the powers of the local government unit. Or something to that effect.

But a friend of mine who works in the Commission on Audit, however, said he knows of no law that could make the purchase of guns legal. So what legal document were they referring to as the basis of their action?

It may be that the Bayawan City councilors fear for their own safety, and therefore, feel compelled to apply for a permit to carry a gun around. Or they may just be feeling romantic about the whole idea.

Whatever it is, it would do them well to be reminded they have a lot of good things going for them. A lot of improvement is going on in Bayawan City. It has good farm-to-market roads, excellent communication facilities, and an enlightened leadership. It is opening its doors to investors by trying to make a name for itself as the agricultural center in the Visayas.

But arming their councilors -- whose only job is to make laws -- is sending the wrong signal, and threatening to destroy all the gains the city has made, thus far. It even tells us that in Bayawan City, the peace and order situation is so bad, the public officials cannot rely on the police and the military for their own safety, and therefore, have to carry guns!

We all are aware that Filipino citizens have the right to carry arms. So if these public officials insist, they who wish to carry firearms around should do so at their own expense--not at the expense of public funds.

For the amount of money one would need to buy one gun, the city could already send a poor child through school for at least one year. Or it could buy a hand tractor or some other machine to be used by farmers' cooperatives to improve their production.

So why is Bayawan putting their money in what appears to be a wrong investment? The only way you can say your "investment" in a gun will be justified or recovered is when this deadly piece of equipment is effectively used to maim or kill people.

Ah, but the price to pay for public service!*

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