Press Release
September 22, 2008

Kiko hits 'offensive' PNP slogan

Senate Majority Leader and human rights advocate Kiko Pangilinan today expressed outrage over the slogan posted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on its billboard outside the EDSA gate of Camp Crame.

"At the very least, it is both blasphemous and offensive. Okey lang na tawagin nila ang sarili nilang 'Pulis ng Bayan.' Pero sino ang nagbigay sa kanila ng basbas na maging 'Pulis ng Panginoon?" asked the irked Kiko.

"Ang tapang naman ng mga apog nila. Clean your ranks before making such proclamations. Paano kayo magiging Pulis ng Panginoon kung kayo mismo'y nadadawit sa pagkawala o 'di kaya'y pagpaslang sa mga aktibista at hinihinalang kaaway ng Estado? Kung patuloy na tumataas ang mga insidente ng krimen sa buong bansa? Kung nananatiling walang takot sa batas at walang habas ang paghahasik ng lagim ng mga kriminal? Kung mismong ang kapulisan ang itinuturong may utak sa mga pangingidnap at panghoholdap sa mga bangko? Kung patuloy na namamayagpag ang mga gambling at drug lords sa lipunan?"

Citing data from the National Capital Region Police Office, a TV report blamed the rise of prices and commodities, particularly fuel, for the notable escalation of crime in Metro Manila this year. There were 20% more bank robberies and 5% more car napping incidents compared to 2007. During the first two weeks of July 2008, there were already 250 crimes against property in the country's capital.

"Hindi po kailangan ng Panginoon ng mga pulis. Pero ang mga pulis, kailangang-kailangan nila ang Panginoon, Maliban na lang kung ang panginoong tinutukoy nila ay gambling lord o drug lord," said Kiko.

Among the goals of the PNP Integrated Transformation Program is the revitalization of the agency's image through "public information and advocacy; and reform management." This includes literally as well as figuratively cleaning people's perceptions of the police.

"Obvious namang kailangan talagang ibalik ang tiwala ng tao sa kapulisan. Pero kailangang bang isama sa usapin ang Panginoon? Do they have to resort to such tactics to get noticed? They should draw the line on maintaining decency even if it means letting go of a catchy slogan," Kiko concluded.

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