“We now have a situation wherein a condition is created for the proliferation of unlicensed firearms. An eye for an eye or a gun for a gun is not the mark of a civilised society,” he said. “By advocating the carrying of guns by ordinary citizens, government is absolving itself of its rightful duty to apply gun control to all, including the rebels,” … said, adding that the “law states that only policemen and military personnel are allowed to carry firearms”. In October, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, which tracks conflicts worldwide, warned the government against arming paramilitary groups. “While the need for defence against attacks by MILF units in a place like North Cotabato is real, Philippine officials should know by now that arming poorly trained civilian forces only makes things worse,” the group said in a report. But for … , a gun is a man’s best friend in hostile territory. “Let them live in Mindanao, then they will realise we are right,” … said. “If I didn’t own guns, I’d be dead by now. My family would be dead by now.”
