President Duterte is unlikely to recall his order for policemen to carry firearms even while off-duty despite the Tarlac shooting involving a cop, Malacañang announced Monday.
(TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the cop implicated in the twin killing was just one "rotten" uniformed officer, believing the police force remained "by and large" disciplined.
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"Hindi po. Gaya ng nasabi ko kanina, isang bugok lang ‘yan pulis na 'yan. Hindi lahat ng pulis ay gaya niya (No. Like I said, he is just one rotten cop. Not all policemen are like him)," Roque said during an online press briefing in Davao City when asked if the President will rescind or modify his directive on the police use of firearms when they are off duty.
Roque explained that the cops are allowed to carry guns even while off-duty to protect themselves from lawless elements. The Palace official, however, warned against the abuse of police firearms.
"Siyempre ang baril ay para sa proteksyon ng ating mga kapulisan. Hindi ‘yan para gamitin laban sa mga personal na kaaway (Of course guns are meant to protect our policemen. They must not be used against personal enemies). Anyway, policy cannot be formulated on the basis of aberrations," he said.
An off-duty policeman shot dead a mother and son in Tarlac after a reported heated argument over the weekend, triggering public outcry against police brutality.
The Palace has condemned the incident and vowed to bring justice for the victims.
Roque said the President would not extend any protection for the cop, insisting Duterte does not tolerate such criminal act. He said the cop would face prosecution over the death of the two persons in Tarlac.
He also rejected concerns that cops have allegedly been emboldened to resort to reckless and unnecessary use of force due to the President’s support for them.
"Exception ang mga bugok sa kapulisan. By and large, matindi ang disiplina ng ating kapulisan (Rotten cops are an exception. By and large, our policemen exercise strong discipline)," he said.
He said the Palace continues to admire the country’s policemen for putting their lives on the line to keep peace and order. He said the President has repeatedly reminded cops as well as soldiers that use of force may only be used when their lives are in danger.
"Hindi kinukunsinti ng Presidente ang mga gawaing mali. Ang insidente sa Tarlac ay isang criminal act. Double murder ‘yan na iimbestigahan (The President does not tolerate wrongdoing. The incident in Tarlac is a criminal act. It is double murder that will be investigated),” he said.
Roque also brushed aside concerns that Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Debold Sinas could be at fault for the decision to do away with muzzling police guns during the holiday season.
He said the incident in Tarlac was not related to the New Year revelry.
"'Yung gun muzzling para masigurado na hindi gagamitin ang baril bilang paputok sa Bagong Taon (The practice of gun muzzling is aimed to ensure the guns are not indiscriminately fired during the New Year)," he said.