Osmeña to continue giving aid to cops who can kill criminals

CEBU, Philippines — Despite criticisms from some councilors, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña assured to continue giving P50,000 in legal assistance to police officers who can kill criminals in the line of duty.

At a press conference yesterday, Osmeña said he could not understand how giving legal assistance to police officers would promote lawlessness, as argued by some members of the City Council’s opposition bloc.

If that is the case, the mayor said, all policemen should be disarmed.

“If we are going to follow this logic, why don’t we disarm them, policemen? Because when policemen carry guns, you might be promoting violence,” he told reporters.

With the issue on human rights still being a subject of heated debate, the mayor said he just wants to give police officers the “peace of mind” they deserve during operations because some of them are afraid to fight back against criminals.

He said he is willing to give more legal assistance to the police if necessary.

“The moment I see that you kill someone, you will get a legal fund. I just want to give them peace of mind,” he said.

Osmeña said he will use his P7 million discretionary fund next year for the police’s legal assistance. He may also use his personal money if needed.

He came up with this move because police organizations, according to him, cannot support policemen in trouble.

“There was a time when our policemen were so afraid to move because if they happened to shoot, even in the line of duty, they would be accused by everybody, including human rights. And the police have no record of trying to support them. I support them,” he said.

Osmeña brushed off the idea that he is copying President Rodrigo Duterte’s style in the fight against criminalities. He said he started carrying out this idea in May 2016 or before Duterte assumed leadership.

“Duterte is following me. Because I started giving P50,000 even before Duterte (was) sworn in for office. I can claim that he’s following me. I don’t really like to put it that way. But I want to make it clear, ako nauna,” the mayor said.

Osmeña cited the support he gave to Senior Police Officer 1 Adonis Dumpit who was charged for killing alleged notorious robber, Ronron Go, in 2004 at Sitio Sampaguita, Villagonzalo II in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

The mayor said he supported Dumpit while he was out of service for six years, as well as helped pay the bail for his temporary liberty. (FREEMAN)