Filipino President Duterte Wants to Hand Out 42,000 Free Guns to Public to Battle Drugs and Crime

Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte promised to fight drug dealers and corruption when he was voted in as president in June 2016.

The Philippines has been mired in drug use and political corruption for decades. Duterte vowed to battle the corruption.

This past week President Duterte announced he was considering handing out 42,000 free or subsidized guns to community leaders who vow to fight crime and drugs.

The New York Post reported:

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.

The Philippines is holding a midterm election on Monday.