PNP not downplaying murders of priests – spokesperson

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not downplaying the series of killings of priests, police spokesperson said on Tuesday, maintaining the murders are “isolated incidents.”

PNP spokesperson Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said the police is working hard to solve the recent murder of Nueva Ecija priest Fr. Richmond Nilo, who was gunned down just before he was about to lead Mass on Sunday.

Durana made the statement in response to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate’s remark that the PNP should stop “downplaying the state of impunity” in the country and go all out against erring policemen.

READ: Albayalde told amid priests’ killings: Stop downplaying state of impunity

“However, contrary to what the Honorable Congressman claims, we are not downplaying the killings of priests, though isolated, but we are in fact working doubly hard to solve it,” Durana said in a text message to reporters.

In a statement Tuesday, Zarate said PNP chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde should stop disregarding the extent of the state of impunity in the country because many have already been killed because of it.

“It would be best if he go all-out in finding and arresting these rogue cops and those responsible for the thousands of extrajudicial killings and other violations of human rights in our country,” Zarate said.

Durana said that was what the PNP has been doing since Albayalde assumed office last April.

“Not just tougher against crimes but toughest against our erring cops,” he said.

He also noted that the recent crime incidents against the priests do not reflect the actual crime situation in the country, as shown by the latest 2018 Gallup Survey on Law and Order.

“This was proven by the latest 2018 Gallup Survey on Law and Order where Filipinos felt safer compared with the rest of 142 countries surveyed and the 18-percent reduction of crime volume during the first 4 months of 2018 compared to the same period last year,” Durana said.

The report shows that perception of safety in the Philippines last year was at par with Australia and South Korea in terms of law and order amid the government’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

The country received a law and order index score of 82 out of a possible 100, along with Mauritius, Bangladesh, Serbia, Australia, South Korea, Romania, Iran, and Sri Lanka.

The survey asked the following questions:

• In the city or area where you live, do you have confidence in the local police force?
• Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?
• Within the last 12 months, have you had money or property stolen from you or another household member?
• Within the past 12 months, have you been assaulted or mugged?

Singapore was seen as the safest country with the highest law and order index score of 97 while Venezuela was the “least secure” country with the lowest score of 44. /je