Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. prodded the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to read books related to Philippine laws in order to guide them in the performance of their duties.
He issued the call following reports of low conviction rate and that some cops would end up in trouble in enforcing the laws.
Abalos then recalled that his grandfather, a police officer assigned in Manila, would always read law boos during his spare time.
“Minsan tinanong ko siya (grandfather), kako lolo bakit gusto mong magbasa ng mga libro tungkol dito (law books). Sabi niya alam mo Benhur importante sa akin ito dahil pulis ako. Gusto ko tama ang ginagawa ko (One time I asked him, grandpa, why do you want to read law books? He told me, Benhur, it is important to me because I am a police officer. I want to do things right),’’ Abalos said.
“Doon ko nakita na kailangan maging maingat ang isang pulis. Kung lumabis ka sa aksyon mo, puwede ka makasuhan. Kung kulang naman ang aksyon mo, puwede ka akasuhan (That is when I realized that the police officers should be careful. If you take drastic action, you can be charged, if your action is inadequate you can also be charged,’’ he added.
The DILG chief stressed that police officers should be at the beacon of help 24 hours a day, saying that they should carry out their duties within the bounds of the law.