Police seek guidance from Palma

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas is seeking religious guidance from Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma amid the perceived spat between the Catholic Church and the police following a series of killings in the government’s war on drugs.

PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said he asked Palma to guide them spiritually. Sinas wants all policemen to be immersed in their faith by attending Mass and confession.

 “Gihangyo namo nga regular mi niya i-guide and call our attention if napaling na mi gamay, guide us nga dili mi masaag og lain nga dalan,” Sinas said.

In fact, Palma was invited by Sinas to celebrate Misa de Gallo at PRO-7 last Monday. The police official said this belies the public perception that the police and the Church are not in good terms.

“Wala na strain among relationship with the Catholic Church...lipay gyud siya (Palma) kay daghan pulis gyud diay musimba... and storya mi unsaon pag-advise and uplift sa spiritual being, it helped us boost our morale,” he said.

The police had been a subject of condemnation by some sector, especially the human rights groups, because of the killings of suspected drug personalities believed to be perpetrated by them. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña even accused Sinas and City Police director Sr. Supt. Royina Garma of being behind the killings.

The accusation came after police officer Eugene Calumba was killed while allegedly trying to ambush Barangay Tejero Councilman Jessielou Cadungog last July. The police officials, however, denied Calumba was out to kill Cadungog when he was shot dead by the latter’s driver and bodyguard.

According to Sinas, Calumba was in Tejero to conduct drug surveillance operation together with police asset Michael Banua.  The accusation was reinforced when another police officer was shot dead on the same day an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was ambushed in Carcar City.

PDEA agent Von Rian Tecson was killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Perrelos, Carcar City last August. Report says Tecson was able to return fire and hit one of his assailants before he died. Incidentally, SPO1 Roderick Balili was shot on the same day.

Sinas dismissed suspicions that Balili was involved in the ambush. He said the policeman was in Pinamungajan conducting drug surveillance operation when he accidentally shot himself twice in the chest.

Sinas admitted they were affected by the accusations blaming them of the killings. He said Palma advised them to also invite priests from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to celebrate Mass.

“Ang purpose ni Archbishop is para makadungog og lain nga idea among tawo and ang kaparian ma-immerse pud sa kapulisan,” he said. —  FPL (FREEMAN)