Cops must obtain permission to join sympathy walk

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Policemen who wish to join next week’s sympathy walk for the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, may do so—if their superiors allow them.

While the Philippine National Police (PNP) respects the freedom of its personnel to express their sentiments, policemen must still seek permission from their commanders if they want to participate in the March 8 walk from Cavite to Quezon City for their fallen SAF colleagues.

“The PNP has always been supportive of calls for truth and justice following the Mamasapano incident. As a general rule, we won’t hinder this activity as long as there are no violations of law,” said PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr.

Respect sentiments

He pointed out that policemen have their duties and responsibilities to fulfill, which must not be ignored if they wish to take part in the sympathy walk being organized by alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

“They have commanders and superiors from whom they must seek permission if they want to join this activity. We still belong to an organization after all. But the general rule is we respect their sentiments,” Cerbo said.

The PNP issued the statement in light of the PNPA alumni’s plan to march from Dasmarinas City in Cavite to the Quezon Memorial Circle on Sunday to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for their late SAF colleagues.

The “March for Justice for SAF 44” will end at the QMC where an ecumenical mass will be celebrated.

Open to public

Alumni of the PNPA, with the families of the 44 SAF commandos, will lead the march, which is open to the public.

The march will be in two phases—a 44-kilometer walk from Salitran, Dasmariñas City, to PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City. The second phase will be from Camp Crame to the QMC.

Running priest Fr. Robert Reyes will lead the joggers composed of PNPA cadets, alumni and sports clubs members.

The assembly point for the first phase will be at the Central Mall Dasmariñas along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Salitran, Dasmarinas City, as the joggers from Cavite will be joined by other joggers at 10-km intervals.

Meanwhile, the families of the 44 slain SAF commandos will lead the march from Camp Crame to the QMC.

PNPA alumni, as well as participants from the uniformed services, are expected to assemble at the Camp Crame Grandstand.