On Tuesday, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa suggested reintroducing whistles and batons as components of the police uniform. He emphasized the necessity for a non-lethal approach following the demise of teenager Jemboy Baltazar.
During the ongoing Senate investigation into Jemboy’s death, the former national police chief, now a senator, revealed that he discussed this concept with Philippine National Police Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda earlier in the day.
“As we were going down the elevator kanina kasama ko si chief PNP, sinabi ko sa kanya na siguro ‘wag na kayong mag-intay pa na gagawa pa tayo ng batas, ang Senado o Kongreso gagawa pa ng batas. Gawin ninyo na ngayon, unahan na ninyo, you make your own policy ibalik ninyo ‘yan as part of the uniform ‘yung batuta at saka ‘yung pito para sige tayo sabi ng force continuum dito from non-lethal to less lethal to lethal pero as part of the uniform, meron ba kayong less lethal equipment d’yan? Wala,” the senator said.
Dela Rosa believes that police officers resort to using firearms due to the absence of less-lethal equipment to establish their authority.
“Wala kayong pito, wala kayong batuta. Ang meron lang baril. So kaya nga siguro diretsong gumagamit ng baril dahil walang ibang option na ginagawa ang kapulisan kundi diretsong baril ang gamit. So babalik tayo ngayon sa traditional [policing] na kailangan as part of uniform ng isang pulis, may batuta, may pito,” he said.
“Importante talaga dahil kapag nakita ka ng tao na tumatakbo pituhan mo. That’s a sign of authority. Para hindi tatakbo ‘yun. Hindi ‘yung paputok agad,” he added.
Bato wants to include whistle, baton in PNP uniforms
Dela Rosa suggested that if police officers are reluctant to use the traditional baton, the PNP could consider acquiring modern alternatives like nightsticks or telescopic batons.
He emphasized that police officers should resort to using firearms only when they are outnumbered or overpowered.
“The use of firearms is justified if the offender poses an imminent danger of causing death or injury to the police officer or other persons. The police shall not use warning shots during police operations except if the police officer is outnumbered and overpowered and his or her life… is in imminent danger,” he said.
“Tila may kalituhan ang ating mga pulis hinggil sa pagkakasunod-sunod ng use of force continuum kaya’t marahil baligtad ang kanilang pagkakabasa o pagkakaintindi. Imbes na unahin ang non-lethal approach ay mas pinili nilang unahin ang pinakamabigat at pinakamapinsala na lethal approach,” he added.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, led by Chairperson Dela Rosa, investigates the incident involving 17-year-old Jemboy. He was fatally shot by police officers under circumstances suggesting a case of mistaken identity.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.