Robin to PNP: Do part to end discrimination vs Muslims
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) can play a big role in ending the discrimination against Muslims – including the tagging of criminals as Muslims and the alleged continued serving of food with pork to Muslim persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the PNP Custodial Center.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla stressed this Monday following the foiled hostage-taking of former Sen. Leila de Lima at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
“Nananawagan po ako, nagpapakumbaba, kay Sir PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. na maglunsad po ng malawakang education drive para imulat po ang mga pulis natin, na ating mga bayani, sa mga usaping ito,” Padilla said.
Padilla expressed his strong belief that the PNP can play a big role in stopping discrimination against Muslims which has remained an elusive goal so far.
Padilla again expressed his dismay over videos on social media where police responding to the hostage-taking referred to the perpetrators as “Muslims.”
He reiterated his call to the PNP leadership to launch an education drive on the use of the word “Muslim.”
“While we are glad that Sen. de Lima is safe and we continue to pray for the recovery of the wounded policeman, I cannot but notice that some policemen referred to the hostage takers as Muslims,” Padilla said.
“Hangad kong malaman ng lahat na hindi ginagamit ang salitang Muslim sa pagtukoy sa isang tao, lalo’t may kinalaman sa krimen o terorismo. May pangalan po ang mga taong ito. Mas mainam po na identify po natin sila hindi sa kanyang relihiyon dahil wala pong kinalaman ang relihiyon dito,” he added.
“If our law enforcers can judge people based on their religion, what is Lady Justice for?” Padilla lamented.
Meanwhile, Padilla expressed worry over de Lima’s reported statement indicating that some inmates were allegedly treated like animals and are still being served food with pork – which is not allowed in Islam.
“Ang paksang tungkol sa angkop na pagkain sa loob ng ating mga presuhan ay ilang ulit ko na pong itinanong sa kinauukulan – ngunit ang palagiang sagot na atin pong nakukuha ay: may angkop na pagkain, sang-ayon sa kanilang paniniwala, na ibinibigay sa ating mga persons deprived of liberty o PDLs. Sa tamang panahon, muli ko pong bubuksan ang talakaying ito,” he said.
