THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which remains a staunch critic of the Duterte government’s war on drugs has committed to stay apolitical and help the Philippine National Police (PNP) ensure its mission to keep the 2022 presidential and national elections as honest and peaceful as possible.

Although some of their most prominent officials and members are known for their association with the opposition, Most Reverend Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, Bishop of the Diocese of Kidapawan and CBCP Chairman on Episcopal Commission in Social Action, Justice and Peace/ Caritas Philippines gave the ‘thumbs-up’ on PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar’s Intensified Cleanliness Policy and committed to have a ‘critical collaboration’ aimed at promoting peace and order while promoting human rights in the country.

Speaking during the 29th founding anniversary of the PNP Chaplain Service last week, Bishop Bagaforo called for the need to reinvigorate the government’s peace building programs since he after all has been involved in the peace process in Mindanao.

He also said that thru their Ugnayan ng Simbahan at Pulisya program (USAP), they can be assured of real conversations “at a time when we are divided due to differences in political opinions, when there is red-tagging, when there is war on drugs.”

Bagaforo said that thru USAP, the CBCP and the PNP will have the avenue to talk regularly and discuss each group’s concerns.

“USAP is not only a partnership between the PNP and the Church, USAP is for every Filipino who loves the Philippines, for every policeman and policewoman who endeavors to serve with honor, for every government official who knows how to live with integrity, for streetsweepers, lay ministers and jeepney drivers and others who work with dignity 24/7,” he said.

The CBCP official committed to have a critical collaboration with the PNP to implement programs and activities aimed at protecting human rights, promoting security and sustaining peace and order in the communities.

Thru USAP, he said that coordination mechanisms between the CBCP and the PNP will be established and strengthened for implementation down the line in every region, cities and municipalities of the country.

Bishop Bagaforo likewise committed to help implement programs that will uplift the morale and welfare and improve the conduct of members of the police force nationwide.

Last but not the least, he said that as we prepare for the May 2020 elections, “we shall collaborate to ensure a clean, honest, accurate and meaningful and peaceful elections.”

The official however did not directly answer a Journal Group question on how the CBCP can ‘stay apolitical’ when many of its officials are known for their pro-opposition stance and strong criticism of President Duterte’s war on drugs.

The CBCP had previously slammed alleged abuses committed by the police force since it launched President Duterte’s war on drugs in July 2016 and even called for the government’s full cooperation with the International Criminal Court’s investigation on deaths arising from anti-drug operations.

In 2017, the CBCP even issued a statement saying “Let us not allow fear to reign and keep us silent” in their strongest statement yet against the government’s campaign against illegal drug trafficking and abuse.

The CBCP is also known for calling for transparency from the government when it comes to allegations that thousands were killed in its war on drugs.

Instead, the Kidapawan Bishop said there is a general CBCP consensus that thru his committee, they will be partnering with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to guard the conduct of the 2022 polls.

He said the CBCP has committed to pour its resources and provide volunteers which will not only educate the public but also help the PPCRV conduct and accurate parallel counting of votes.

Bagaforo appealed to qualified voters to register and look for three qualities of the candidates they will choose.

“Piliin ang tatlong mahalaga na makita sa ating leaders, meron bang kakayahan na mamahala at manguna at magbigay ng kapakanan at kabutihan sa ating bayan? Meron ba silang track record? Performance? Ano ba ang nagging agenda nila sa buhay? Ano ang plataporma nung magserbisyo? Lastly, me moral ascendancy ba sila kasi pag walang takot sa diyos, ang ating bayan ay lulubog sa kasalanan at hindi uunlad,” he said.

Bagaforo said the CBCP is 100 percent in support of Gen. Eleazar’s Intensified Cleanliness Policy even as he added that thru their USAP program, he expects ‘conflicts’ between the Church and the police to be immediately resolved.

The CBCP official was invited by PNP Chaplain Service director, Brigadier Gen. Jayson D. Ortizo to speak during the PNP-CHS anniversary in Camp Crame and joined Gen. Eleazar in giving plaques of recognition to outstanding PNP-CHS personnel and their supporters who have been untiring in helping the unit conduct spiritual counselling programs to police personnel especially those who have contracted COVID-19.

Gen. Eleazar had said that the PNP will remain apolitical and vowed to go after any of his men who will be ‘playing politics’ in their areas.

He also unleashed the full might of the 17 Police Regional Offices, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the PNP Intelligence Group to smash partisan armed groups and their loose firearms ahead of the 2020 presidential and national elections.

“Papalapit na ang eleksyon at alam naman natin na may ilang pulitiko na gumagamit ng private armed groups para sa pansarili nilang mga interes, partikular ang maipanalo ang kanilang kandidatura gamit ang dahas. We will not allow that,” Gen. Eleazar said.

Particularly being targeted for neutralization by the PNP in Mindanao alone are over 130 armed groups, according to the National Task Force on the Disbandment of PAGs (NTF-DPAGs) chaired by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Ano.

Gen. Eleazar said that by neutralizing these PAGs, they would be able to live up to their vision of having credible, orderly and peaceful elections in 2022.

“Dapat tiyakin ng PNP na walang magaganap na aberya o kaguluhan sa bawat bahagi ng halalan, mula sa filing ng candidacy hanggang sa deklarasyon ng mga nanalong kandidato,” the PNP chief said.

The PNP chief also reminded anew politicians gunning for different elective seats in the forthcoming May 2022 elections not to pay so-called ‘Permit-to-Campaign Fees’ usually being demanded from candidates by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army.

“As the national polls draw near, the CPP/NPA is expected to again take advantage of the elections for financial gain through extortion,” the top cop said.

He explained that communist rebels usually profit from the elections by demanding “permit-to-campaign fees” from politicians who plan to run for public office in local or national elections.

Security officials said the CPP/NPA was believed to have amassed nearly P196 million from their so-called ‘extortion’ activities during the 2016 and 2018 elections alone.

The rebels are known for demanding the following amount from candidates planning to campaign in areas where they are known to have a large influence: P300,000-P650,000 for governors and vice-governors; P200,000-P500,000 for mayors; and P50,000-P100,000 for barangay officials.

Those who refuse to heed their extortion demand are subjected to harassments or prevented from campaigning in areas in the countryside where they have a considerable presence.