Bishop to police: Fight drugs, but don’t condemn suspects

CEBU, Philippines —  A bishop from the Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines encouraged cops in Cebu to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality, but advised them not to condemn those who will be caught.

“When we say condemn, that is a very harsh word. When we say condemn, we are judging already the person. Who are we to judge? We cannot see kung unsa mahitabo sa iya… sometimes, di gyud ta makaila sa tawo, so it is better for us to not to condemn,” said Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio.

He said he went to the Police Regional Office - 7 to remind cops to stay attuned to better ways in their ongoing campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.   

He said he supports the police force despite the public backlash on its drug war.

“What we can do perhaps is just to remind, keep reminding, because the more we are reminded, the more we are attuned kung unsa. What we do is to give signposts so you will not fall into the ravine or misled,” he said.

Florencio was at PRO-7 to lead the Kaunting Pahinga program, which serves as a retreat for cops for mental, spiritual, and physical resiliency, especially with the recent issues hounding the police force.

He said the program is a form of assurance to cops that they are not fighting a battle alone and their basic spiritual and mental necessities are not overlooked.

“We gave them the assurance nga every time mangayo sila tabang, we will help them,” Florencio said.

PRO-7 Director Debold Sinas said included in the sixth batch of Kaunting Pahinga are key officers from the region, including Senior Supt. Dennis Agustin, the deputy regional director for administration, provincial directors, and police commanders in Central Visayas.

The program will start today and will end on Friday at the Holy Family in Barangay Lahug.

“Ako expectation is mare-energize akong mga kauban kasi, sometimes, we need some relaxing nga wala mi gihuna-huna,” he said.

The station commanders participating in the programs are advised to focus on resting and to leave their station’s day-to-day operations with their deputy chief.

In a separate development, Sinas also said that the church where Roman Catholic priest Reverend Amado Picardal belongs in Cebu has assured that the priest is safe, and police escorts are unnecessary.

Picardal is among the critics of President Rodrigo Duterte, especially on the president’s crackdown on illegal drugs. He went into hiding after he reportedly became the target of motorcycle-riding tandems last month.

“They are very thankful for the offer of the PNP… ang storya nila, di mabalaka ang PNP kay every time mag-need sila tabang, muagi lang sila sa amoa. As of now, Fr. Armand Picardal is in good and safe hands so kami, dili na mag-insist,” Sinas said.

He assured though that they will monitor the church Picardal belongs so the police can respond immediately to any call for help. – JMO (FREEMAN)