THE Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) Cebu City chapter shouldered the expenses of securing licenses to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) of the 80 barangay captains in the city. ABC president Franklyn Ong said a P100,000-budget was allocated for the payment of the LTOPF clearance of the barangay officials. “We are now in a situation that the criminality is high.

Our enemies have guns... Next, we will try to do how we can help the 800 barangay councilors to be armed,” he said. The Local Government Code of 1991 provides that village leaders are allowed to possess and carry firearms in the performance of their peace and order functions. (RVC)