Cops made to read Bible before return to drug war

FILE: Philippine National Police personnel on December 31 at the National Headquarters (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA— As they return to the government’s war on drugs, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are now made to read Bible passages as part of their spiritual reformation to lift their moral aptitude and gain “a more humane outlook” in the performance of their duties and functions, a police official has said.

“Nakita namin na kailangang magkaroon ng mas malawak na pananaw ang ating mga pulis para magawa nila ang kanilang tungkulin sa tamang pamamaraan at may takot sa Diyos, kaya nagpo-focus din kami sa spiritual aspect ng kanilang reorientation at reformation (We noted that our policemen must also have a broader perspective of their duties, including fear of God. That is why we are now focusing on the spiritual aspect of their reorientation and reformation),” PNP Training Service Director Supt. Elpidio Gabriel Jr. told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a recent interview.

Gabriel said the PNP is now focusing on the cops’ spiritual reformation in conducting its “internal cleansing program” they call Focused Reformation/Reorientation and Moral Enhancement for Police Officers (FORM-POLICE) training.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde, in a separate interview, said the PNP leadership has made it a point to continue and intensify the FORM-POLICE training.

“Actually, tuluy-tuloy naman talaga ito since I assumed (my position) on July 1, 2016 iyong FORM-POLICE namin sa NCRPO. Ang tawag ay ‘Balik sa Kampo’ program kaya nga may Tent City kami sa loob ng kampo (Actually, it is a continuous program since I assumed my post on July 1, 2016 — the FORM-POLICE of NCRPO. We call it ‘Back to Camp’. That is why we have a Tent City inside the camp),” Albayalde said, adding that all erring policemen undergo the reorientation program.

Meanwhile, pending guidelines from the national headquarters on PNP’s return to anti-illegal drug operations, Albayalde said he had issued a directive to all district directors to strictly implement the vetting process of personnel to be assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit.

“We will not hesitate to send another batch of police officers to the Focused Reformation/Reorientation and Moral Enhancement if that is what’s needed to correct their lapses. We shall also continue other refresher courses on human rights laws and police operational procedures needed by our police officers,” he said in a statement.

“This is to ensure that police officers are trained, qualified, and disciplined to handle their assignment,” he added.