MANILA — Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is calling for an in-depth cleansing of the entire Philippine National Police (PNP) of hoodlums in uniform, who infiltrated the organization, following the alleged involvement of rogue police personnel in the attempted assassination of one of its officials.
TUCP President Raymond Mendoza expressed grave concern over the failed assassination of TUCP Vice President and barangay councilor Jessielou Cadungog Monday morning in Tejero, Cebu City.
The gunman, who was killed while trying to assassinate Cadungog, was identified as PO2 Eugene Alcain Calumba. An accomplice taken into custody was identified as PO2 Michael Banua.
“Who will protect us now against lawlessness and breakdown of the rule of law now that the police themselves who are supposed to protect the people are the ones who are killing and hurting us? Who will protect us now that the police themselves are kidnapping us? Where do the weak and powerless go and seek for protection?” Mendoza said.
“The recent spate of police involvement in criminal activities directed at civilians and ordinary citizens merits an honest-to-goodness cleansing of the police ranks nationwide to separate the bad ones from the good ones so that the people’s trust in our PNP is restored,” Mendoza added.
He said the incident will surely hamper the trade unions’ efforts to organize workers for better wages and benefits, good working conditions and will also affect labor groups’ efforts to safeguard workers from abusive employers and business owners.
The TUCP has called for an independent investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into the failed Cadungog ambush. (TUCP PR/PNA)
