MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to provide free legal assistance to policemen is a “morale booster,” saying this will help personnel who will be charged with “harassment cases” while doing their duty.
Duterte, in his final State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, prodded Congress to pass a bill providing legal assistance to PNP and Armed Force of the Philippines Personnel (AFP) from charges arising from their performance of official duty.
“On behalf of the men and women of PNP, I extend the sincerest appreciation and gratitude to our commander-in-chief for his genuine concern for our personnel,” Eleazar said in a video statement.
“Ito ay isang malaking morale booster sa aming hanay,” he added.
Eleazar said this may help policemen who are facing “harassment cases” from “rich and influential people.”
“Hindi siguro alam ng ating mga kababayan, na sa likod ng accomplishments ng PNP, kalimitan ay harassment cases ang kapalit nito, na kung mamalasin pa ay maaari pang maparusahan sa pagtupad ng aming sinumpaang tungkulin lalo na kung ang makababangga ay ang malalaking taong may pera at impluwensya,” he explained.
“Patuloy man naming tinutugunan ang problemang ito sa mga nakalipas na taon, hindi pa rin sapat ang aming ginagawa dahil sa dami ng harassment cases na dapat tugunan,” he added.
Duterte likewise called for a unified pension system for all uniformed personnel which include policemen, which Eleazar also welcomed.(©Philippine Daily Inquirer 2021)
