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Robin Padilla urges PNP to educate cops on the use of word 'Muslim'
Robin Padilla urges PNP to educate cops on the use of word 'Muslim'
Senator Robin Padilla on Sunday, October 9 called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to educate its men on the use of the word “Muslim” saying it is discriminatory against the Muslim community to which he is part of.
Padilla cried foul after a video footage of one of the police who responded to the hostage-taking incident inside Camp Crame showed how one of the policemen refered to the hostage takers as “Muslims.”
Padilla was referring to a video on social media showing the police who responded to the incident referred to the hostage-takers as "Muslims."
The senator called on PNP Chief P/Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to educate his men on the use of the term “Muslim.”
“Ako ay nananawagan sa PNP na magkaroon ng edukasyon sa paggamit ng salitang Muslim. Discrimination po ito kapag binibigkas ng pulis na ito ang salitang Muslim. Maging parehas po tayo ng trato sa bawat Pilipino (I am calling on the PNP to educate its ranks on the use of the word Muslim. It is discrimination if policemen use the term Muslim. Let us accord fair treatment to all Filipinos),” Padilla said on his Facebook account.
“Kapag may kidnapper o holdupper o pumatay ng tao hindi man niyo sinasabi na Kristiyano ito (If there is a kidnapper or robber who killed someone, police don't refer to them as Christians),” he added.
The senator said one should not use the word "Muslim" in identifying people involved in a crime or terrorism.
"Mainam po na identify niyo po sila hindi sa kanyang religion dahil walang kinalaman ang religion po dito. Ang batas ay hinubog sa anyo ng hustisya at pinapatupad ito ng alagad ng batas. Kung ang alagad ng batas ay humusga ng bansag sa isang religion para saan pa po ang babaeng nakapiring ang mga mata at may hawak na timbangan (It is better to identify them not through their religion because their religion has nothing to do with this. The law is based on justice. If a law enforcer makes judgments based on religion, then what for is our blindfolded Lady Justice)?" he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Padilla noted that Muslims are praying for the recovery of the policeman who was wounded in the incident, as well as for De Lima's continued safety.
"Ipinagpapanalangin po ng mga Muslim ang kagyat na pagbuti ng kalagayan ng nasugatan na bayaning pulis at ganon din po ang katahimikan ng loob at ang patuloy na kaligtasan ng dating senador na Leila de Lima (Muslims are praying for the recovery of the heroic policeman and for the continued safety of former Sen. de Lima)," he said.