The apology by the Philippine National Police Human Rights Affairs Office (PNP-HRAO) to community pantry organizers is proof that the police organization means them no harm.
PNP Chief, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar maintained that the organization has never sanctioned a profiling of community pantry organizers who have been selflessly offering help to those in need and fostering the Bayanihan spirit.
“Gusto ko po linawin na walang direktiba mula sa PNP National Headquarters o mula sa aking opisina na magsagawa ng anumang profiling sa kanila ang ating mga police personnel. Base na rin sa direktiba ng ating SILG Eduardo Año, inatasan ko ang ating mga kapulisan na tulungan at protektahan ang mga community pantry organizers sa kanilang area of responsibility at tiyakin na nasusunod ang health protocols,” he said.
The Chief of the PNP-HRAO, Police Brig. Gen. Vincent Calanoga, said in a congressional hearing last Wednesday that the allegations on police profiling are already under investigation and being acted upon.
He apologized to the community pantry organizers who felt threatened or intimidated by the actions of some police officers.
“It takes real courage to apologize especially for men and women in uniform. There is honor in that at lalo lang akong pinahanga ng ating HRAO director sa kanyang ginawa,” said PGen. Eleazar.
“Ito ay isa lang patunay na walang masamang intensyon ang inyong PNP at ito rin ay magsisilbing mensahe sa lahat ng ating kapulisan na siguraduhin lang na nasusunod ang minimum health safety protocol sa community pantries at tumulong kung kinakailangan,” he added.
PGen Eleazar urged community pantry organizers who felt harassed, intimidated or threatened by police personnel to immediately file a complaint: “Makaka-asa kayo na agad po nating aaksyunan ang inyong mga reklamo.”
The Directorate for Police Community Relations already crafted guidelines to be followed by police personnel in engaging with organizers of community pantries.
Under the guidelines, police presence in the vicinity of community pantries should only be to maintain peace and order and to ensure minimum public health safety standards are strictly observed. (PNP-PIO)
