Proposed free legal aid to cops to help with ‘harassment cases’ — Eleazar

FILE PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar. PHOTO BY GRIG MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — 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. (This is a big morale booster on our ranks.)

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.

(Our countrymen may not be aware that, with the accomplishments of the PNP, harassment cases to our personnel, which, unfortunately, may lead to charges for policemen who are just doing their duty, especially when being sued by influential people.)

“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.

(While we try to resolve these issues, our efforts are not enough due to so many harassment cases we need to solve.)

Duterte likewise called for a unified pension system for all uniformed personnel which include policemen, which Eleazar also welcomed.

EDV