Bato mulls strong law vs. private armies, death penalty for erring security aides after Degamo slay probe

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday emphasized the need for a strong law against private armies and death penalty for security personnel who commit heinous crimes and taking undue advantage of their training, knowledge, and skills.

Dela Rosa made the recommendations a week after he led the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee investigation into the spate of killings in Negros Oriental, including the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo.

Apart from new laws against private armies and erring security aides, Dela Rosa also enumerated several amendments to the law which will prevent political killings in the country:

• Amendment to the Omnibus Election Code, particularly the provision on nuisance candidates
• Amendment to the Local Government Code to ensure that the authority to appoint police provincial directors must be with the Philippine National Police and not with the local government officials
• Amendment to the Firearms Law

Further, Dela Rosa is seeking policy reforms including the strict regulation on the selling and using of military and police uniforms, monitoring of dishonorably discharged military personnel, inventory of loose firearms, and updating of the PNP Standard of Procedures in addressing complaints of the citizens.

“As always, we emphasize that this is in aid of legislation. Paano ba makakatulong ang Senado? Anong mga polisiya ang kailangang gawin at anong batas ang kailangan nating amyendahan?” the PNP chief-turned-lawmaker said.

[How can the Senate help? What are the policies needed and laws to be amended.]

Dela Rosa said he is planning to conduct one more hearing to cover the past and present law and order situation in Negros Oriental.

Last week, the Senate panel conducted a three-day marathon hearing on the spate of political killings in Negros Oriental where at least 20 cases of political attacks and assassinations were tackled.

The panel also discussed the issue of land grabbing, e-sabong and illegal gambling, intimidation and threat to uncooperative authorities, the existence of private armies with unlicensed firearms, and involvement of police personnel in criminal activities and supposed cover-ups. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News