MANILA PHILIPPINES – Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa expressed concern over the police officers wearing face masks, which he found questionable and intimidating while conducting checkpoint in Davao City.
Dela Rosa said this in Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous drugs on tuesday where he said why it seems normal for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to wear a face mask while conducting a checkpoint near Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound.
The senator said he talked to the people in Davao and said they were scared and witnessed himself about policemen wearing mask when he went home to Davao.
He said he asked the patrolman if it was still part of their uniform to wear face coverings but the senator did not get an answer.
“Tinanong ko ‘yung mga patrolman, ‘Dong, is that facemask part of your uniform talaga? Wala namang COVID ngayon eh bakit kayong lahat naka face mask? Ano ba ‘yan? Intimidating factor ba ‘yang ginagawa niyo?” he said.
As a Davaoeño himself, dela Rosa said he can feel the sentiment of the people in the province and that their perception of the local police has really changed.
He added that only one to four are trying to be arrested but why does it seem like the whole community.
The senator is referring to KOJC Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his four co-accused.
“Kasi ganito, sir, DILG, taga-Davao ako. Ramdam ko ‘yung sentimyento ng mga tao ng Davao. Right now, talagang ang kanilang pagtingin sa pulis ay nagbago. Matagal nilang minahal ang pulis, Davao City Police Office…Ilang taon yan hall of famer palaging best police station of the year…Ngayon parang biglang bumaliktad ang pagtingin ng mga tao,” said Dela Rosa addressing Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.
Dela Rosa clarified that this does not stop the work of the PNP, particularly its operation in the KOJC.
But for the former PNP chief, what the police are doing is not helping the residents of Davao City.
DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos assured Dela Rosa to address the concern.