By NG Seruela
The Philippine National Police (PNP) denied on Wednesday (April 21) that PNP Chief Police Gen. Debold Sinas ordered a profiling of the personalities involved in the community pantry initiative.
In today’s Laging Handa public briefing, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Olay said that the community pantry is an “expression of the Filipino bayanihan spirit.” The only intention of the police there is to “serve the best interest of the public.”
“Ang tinitingnan kasi namin doon ay from the point of view of public safety. Pumunta sila doon to ensure compliance sa minimum public health standards, ayon na rin sa kautusan ng IATF.”
[What we are monitoring is from the point of view of public safety. They went there to ensure compliance with the minimum public health standards, in accordance with the IATF’s order].
Olay said the PNP chief also ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Police Regional Offices (PROs) to investigate the alleged profiling done by some police officers involved in the matter.
He pointed out that the reason behind several officers asking for the personal details of the community pantry organizers is to partner with them in other similar activities.
“Ang sabi ng District Director kahapon ay kinukuha nila iyong mga detalye na ganyan, para sa susunod na mga aktibidades ng kapulisan ay maaari namin silang isama. Mayroon na kaming organization, alam namin kung sino iyong mga katuwang namin sa mga ganyang bagay.”
[The District Director said yesterday that they asked for personal details so they can ask them to participate in similar police activities. We have an organization, we know who to coordinate with in such matters].
“There is no harm actually sa presence ng mga kapulisan doon [of the police there]. Sabi ko nga kanina [As I said earlier], to ensure compliance to minimum public health standards such as wearing ng face mask, face shield, at physical distancing,” he added.
The PNP spokesperson appealed to the public not to take the police’s presence the wrong way. He assured that the officers are there to maintain peace in the area. – jlo
