PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
File PNA photo by Joey Razon
Azurin apologizes to Robin
Source: Facebook
Over cops’ ‘Muslim’ comments following de Lima hostage-taking
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. has apologized over the ‘Muslim’ comments made by some policemen in the aftermath of last Sunday’s foiled jailbreak at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame which left three suspected terrorists dead, one of them shot after briefly holding hostage and threatening to kill jailed former senator Leila M. de Lima.
The top cop particularly addressed the apology to Senator Robinhood Padilla who expressed his disappointment that policemen referred to the hostage-takers as “Muslims” during the incident.
“We would like to apologize po sa ating good Senator na well-noted po ang kanyang comment as far as ‘yung nangyari po… Thank you for reminding us,” Gen. Azurin said.
The PNP also issued a statement regarding the matter.
“The entire PNP organization would like to apologize to the good Senator Robin Padilla and the entire Muslim community for the inconvenience brought by the interpretation for using the term “Muslim” to refer to someone committing a crime,” said the PNP in a statement released by PNP Public Information Office chief, Brigadier Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.
“This was said without any malice to malign the reputation of our Muslim brothers and sisters. Let this be a lesson to educate the entire PNP organization to be more discerning in addressing all sectors in the society with prudency,” he added.
Padilla accepted Azurin’s apology. “I hope this will be an important first step to end discrimination against people based on their faith,” he said.
“My wish is that our heroic policemen remove from their vocabulary the word ‘Muslim’ in referring to those who are linked to crime or terrorism. Again, there is no connection between one’s faith and his/her wrongdoing,” the senator said.
“Again, we mean no disrespect and we have always considered the Muslim community as our partner in community-building. Rest assured that the PNP will always uphold the rule of law in all its actions and will always respect the person’s rights regardless of religion, culture and origin,” said Alba.
