VACC: Rifles for civilians to boost defense vs China

March 6, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) allowing gun enthusiasts to own and register 7.62 semi-automatic rifles will boost the country’s external defense against China’s aggression, the head of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) said yesterday.

VACC president Arsenio Evangelista said with tensions remaining high at the West Philippine Sea (WPS), having a civilian population trained in using long firearms is beneficial to the country’s defense.

“Alam naman natin masyadong heightened ‘yung conflict ng China sa WPS so in case of external threat ay well-trained tayong mga civilians sa high-powered,” Evangelista said in an interview with Net 25.

In a separate phone interview, Evangelista believes responsible gun owners will not hesitate to join the uniformed service in defending the country in the event of an invasion.

“If you have the shooting skills, you can be a volunteer in defense of the Philippine flag and our country,” he said.

The VACC currently has around 10,000 members but Evangelista clarified that not all of them have firearms.

Joy Gutierrez, head of firearms dealer Trust Trade, echoed Evangelista’s statement on the possibility of licensed gun owners joining the fight in case of an armed conflict with another nation.

The PNP, meanwhile, assured the public that safeguards are in place to ensure that only those qualified can own long firearms.