The Philippine National Police on Wednesday, May 19, expressed its regret over certain “missteps” and misunderstanding in its initial action towards the organizers the now popular community pantry, saying that steps are being taken to prevent a repetition of what happened.
The House Committee on Human Rights chaired by Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay lauded the demonstration of humility made by the PNP during a briefing by concerned government agencies on the emergence of community pantries in various parts of the country.
“Ito po ay binigyan na po ng kaukulang aksyon para hindi na maulit. Sa mga naapektuhan humihingi ang PNPHRAO ng paumanhin (We have taken action on this so that it will not happen again. To those who were affected, the PNP-HRAO offers its apology),” stated Brig. Gen. Vincent Calanoga, chief of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office during the briefing.
Suntay said Calanoga’s disclosure that the PNP is in full support of community pantries is a “good revelation” that should be welcomed by all concerned.
He noted that this will clarify earlier misunderstanding between community pantry organizers and the police which was triggered by accusations that the latter had “red tagged” the former, more in particular, Patricia Non who initiated the project on Maginhawa street, UP Village, Quezon City.
Crying harassment, Non was forced to close the pantry that provides free food and basic needs to the needy a few days after its launch. She aired fears for her life after social media posts accusing her of being a communist sympathizer went viral in the social media.
Calanoga said the PNP is totally in agreement that the “concept of community pantries exemplified the time tested Filipino tradition of Bayanihan.” In fact, the PNP leadership under General Guillermo Eleazar has launched its own community pantry operations called “Barangyanihan”.
“Although the community pantry has the best intent and purpose, the health protocol necessary to prevent the spread of COVID 19 virus should always be part of the consideration,” he said.
The police establishment, Calanoga stressed, should not be linked to “profiling” and “red tagging” activities.
In the same briefing, Erwin Caliba, representative of the Commission on Human Rights, admitted that the agency is concerned about attempts to ‘red tag” community pantry organizers.
“Let us remind the government, particularly, the local law enforcement officers that collecting data is an encroachment upon upon the right to privacy of individuals and represents yet again, an overreach and abuse of police power that is bereft of any statutory or legal basis,” Calanoga said.